Abstract:
Background: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool applied in worldwide healthcare
facilities to identify neurologic dysfunctions and monitor progress in level of consciousness,
diagnosis and maintain communication among healthcare professionals.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and practical administration of GCS among final
year nursing undergraduates from the selected universities in Sri Lanka
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst final year nursing
undergraduates from randomly selected universities in Sri Lanka (Sri Jayewardenepura (n=20),
Colombo (n=70) and Peradeniya (n=33). Data collected using a newly developed, pre-tested
questionnaire answered by study participants. The level of knowledge was classified according to
the mean score, score <22 inadequate; >23 adequate knowledge and practice levels were scored
<12 as unsatisfactory, score >13 satisfactory. Data analysis using the SPSS version 23.0 for the
analysis of descriptive data comparing these groups against their university affiliation with
analysis of variance.
Results: Among 123 participants, 69.1% (n=85) were female. More than half 59% (n=72) of the
participants had adequate knowledge. A proportion of 51% (n=61) had a satisfactory knowledge
of clinical scenario practice and practical application was seen among 36% (n=44) of them. There
was no significant difference (p=0.71) in the means knowledge score between the universities.
However, mean practice scores showed a significant difference (p<0.001) between their university
affiliations.
Conclusions: Study showed that the percentage of undergraduates with adequate knowledge and
satisfactory practices were 59% and 36%, respectively. Further, they demonstrate adequate
knowledge and practical application of the GCS too. Hence, each higher educational institute need
to re-visit their academic program in order to achieve the desired level of competencies of the
graduates. Therefore. the teaching theoretical concepts and the skill of performing GCS
assessments shall be included with more clinical experiences combined with demonstrations in
classrooms to enhance the knowledge of GCS among nursing graduates.
