University Research Project: Nurses' Knowledge in Lower Extremity Care

This research project investigates the knowledge of nurses in the management of lower extremity ulcers. The project identifies deficits in wound care management knowledge among nursing staff and establishes a research objective to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge. The study references a relevant article highlighting the benefits of intensive nursing education programs in preventing diabetic foot ulceration. A qualitative research approach, employing surveys and semi-structured interviews, is proposed to gather data on nurses' perceptions and motivations before and after the intervention. The findings aim to inform policy changes and promote educational programs within healthcare institutions, ultimately improving patient care through enhanced nurse training and knowledge of lower extremity ulcer management.

Running head: RESEARCH PROJECT
Knowledge of nurses in the management of lower-extremity
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1RESEARCH PROJECT
1. It is imperative for nursing professionals to provide best care practices to patients that are
cost-effective, evidence-based and efficient. The area of practice that requires research
improvement is ‘knowledge regarding management of lower extremities’. Time and again
it has been found that there are several deficits, in relation to wound care management
knowledge among nursing staff (Ylönen et al., 2014). Improvement of research in this
particular domain will help the nurses to focus on clinical reasoning that will enhance
their hands-on skill development, required for effective integration of examination and
intervention procedures into management of lower extremities.
2. Taking into consideration the fact that wound care management represents a considerable
proportion of healthcare delivery, and takes up a significant amount of time that the
professionals spend with patient, effective management is essential. It has often been
found that nursing practitioners involved in such practices often receive insufficient
education and training, and demonstrate poor knowledge related to this domain (Nuru et
al., 2015). Presence of adequate training and knowledge is imperative for minimizing
risks of patients who are subjected to suboptimal and ineffective lower extremity
management Services. The research objective would be as follows: What are the effects of an educational intervention on the knowledge of nurses
who are responsible for caring for patients having lower extremity ulcer?
3. Article-
Ren, M., Yang, C., Lin, D. Z., Xiao, H. S., Mai, L. F., Guo, Y. C., & Yan, L. (2014). Effect of
intensive nursing education on the prevention of diabetic foot ulceration among
patients with high-risk diabetic foot: a follow-up analysis. Diabetes technology &

2RESEARCH PROJECT
therapeutics, 16(9), 576-581. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2014.0004
4. It can be suggested from the article identified above that implementation of an intensive
nursing education program would prove beneficial in enhancing knowledge and
awareness among nursing professionals, regarding the strategies that need to be adopted
for effective management of diabetic foot ulcer, among patients who are identified to be
at a high risk. The nursing education program was associated with lower rates of
amputation (Ren et al., 2014). Therefore, a similar program can be adopted in practice
settings for providing appropriate nurse training to the professionals on chronic wound
management for low-extremity ulcer.
5. With the aim of investigating the research objective, a qualitative research approach will
be adopted. The data collection method will encompass surveys and semi-structured
interviews. This will help in exploring the opinions motivations and reasons behind the
knowledge and perception of nursing professional regarding lower extremity ulcer
management, prior to and after implementation of the educational program (Silverman,
2016). Conducting survey will help in gaining sound understanding of the characteristics
of the target population, thus facilitating drawing conclusions about the efficacy of the
program. Semi-structured interviews will focus on open-ended questions that will
facilitate an easy discussion with the interviewee, thereby helping in acquiring detailed
information about the impacts that the educational program had on their knowledge and
awareness levels (McIntosh & Morse, 2015).
6. The findings of the research could be disseminated on a wider scale through publication,
podcasts and conferences, thereby increasing knowledge and awareness among several
healthcare administrators on the need to provide adequate training and education to

3RESEARCH PROJECT
nursing staff for lower extremity ulcer management. Necessary changes will also be made
in the policies of the health care institution, in order to create provisions where the
nursing professionals will be able to enroll in workshop and training programs, for
understanding the crucial aspects of wound management in patients.

4RESEARCH PROJECT
References
McIntosh, M. J., & Morse, J. M. (2015). Situating and constructing diversity in semi-structured
interviews. Global qualitative nursing research, 2, 2333393615597674.
Nuru, N., Zewdu, F., Amsalu, S., & Mehretie, Y. (2015). Knowledge and practice of nurses
towards prevention of pressure ulcer and associated factors in Gondar University
Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC nursing, 14(1), 34.
Ren, M., Yang, C., Lin, D. Z., Xiao, H. S., Mai, L. F., Guo, Y. C., & Yan, L. (2014). Effect of
intensive nursing education on the prevention of diabetic foot ulceration among patients
with high-risk diabetic foot: a follow-up analysis. Diabetes technology &
therapeutics, 16(9), 576-581.
Silverman, D. (Ed.). (2016). Qualitative research. Sage.
Ylönen, M., Stolt, M., Leino‐Kilpi, H., & Suhonen, R. (2014). Nurses' knowledge about venous
leg ulcer care: a literature review. International nursing review, 61(2), 194-202.