Context: Neonates, particularly those who are born premature, may require ventilation assistance immediately after birth, since their
lung may not be fully developed. The use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is increasing as a means of respiratory
support in many premature infants. So, the presence of nasal skin breakdown may be seen as a complication.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of nursing protocol regarding nasal skin breakdown for preterm infants receiving nasal continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP).
Methods: A quasi-experimental research design utilized to conduct the current study. The study conducted at Neonatal Intensive Care
Units (NICUs) and Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit "SNICU" of Benha Specialized Pediatric Hospital at Benha city. A convenient
sample of nurses (70) working in NICU sand SNICU and a purposive random sample of (77) preterm infants included from the settings
mentioned above. Those premature infants were divided into two groups (study and control) (35) in the control group and (42) in the
study group, who selected according to the power analysis equation based on the total number of preterm infants who admitted to the
setting mentioned above during 2017. Three tools used. A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet designed to assess nurses’
sociodemographic characteristics, and nurses' knowledge regarding CPAP, care provided to preterm infants undergoing CPAP, and nasal
skin breakdown. The second tool was a nursing practice observation checklist to assess nurses' practice regarding nasal CPAP. The third
tool was Preterm Medical Assessment Record. It designed to assess the characteristics of preterm infants and medical data of preterm
infants. The last tool was the Neonatal Skin Condition Score (NSCS) scale that is designed to assess the neonates’ skin condition.
Results: Findings of the present study revealed a statistically significant difference (P |
