الفهرس 
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Abstract
Background: Endotracheal tube suctioning is one of the most common invasive procedures carried out in the ICU. It is an important procedure for adult critically ill patients with artificial airways. However it is not a safe procedure and may lead to short and long term detrimental effects. Therefore, critical care nurses must be aware of the potential risks of this procedure, and make efforts to prevent or minimize the possible complications. Aim of the study: to assess nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding endotracheal tube suctioning at ICUs of Cairo University Hospitals. Research design: A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. Sample: A convenience samples of 60 nurses were included in the current study. Setting: This study was carried out at the Intensive Care Units of Cairo University Hospitals. Tools of data collection: Three tools were developed by the investigator, tested for clarity, and feasibility: Nurses’ personal background questionnaire,ETT suctioning nurses’ knowledge self-administered questionnaire, andendotracheal tube suctioning Nurses’ practice observational checklist. Results: Around two thirds (63.3%) of the studied sample had unsatisfactory knowledge and the great majority (95.5%) had unsatisfactory practice levels with means of 20.5±SD = 3.26 and 28.63+ SD =6.2 respectively. Unsatisfactory knowledge was found regarding preparation for suctioning (solutions used to dissolve secretions, the recommended suctioning pressure setting, equations used for estimating suction catheter size) and when to aspirate secretions during the suctioning procedure in percentages of 93.3 %, 83.3%, 80% & 70%, respectively. Unsatisfactory practice was found regarding auscultating lung sounds before suctioning, preparing sterile gloves, hyper-oxygenation prior to and post suctioning, wearing sterile gloves and documentation of secretions characteristics in percentage of 91.7%, 96.7%, 63.3%, 95%& 95 % respectively. Knowledge mean scores differed significantly in relation to gender, age category, years of experience in nursing, ICU years of experience and qualifications (t=3.43 at P ≤ 0.001, F=6.74 at P ≤ 0.002, F=5.197, at P ≤ 0.003, F=5.909 at P ≤ 0.001 and F=21.17 at P ≤ 0.000) respectively. However, no significant statistical difference was found in the total mean practice scores in relation to gender, age category, nursing years of experience, ICU years of experience and qualifications. Conclusion:Inspite of having vital role in assessment and management of critically ill patients, critical care nurses in the current study had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice regarding endotracheal tube suctioning. Recommendation: updating knowledge and practices of ICU nurses through carrying out continuing educational programs about endotracheal tube suctioning; Ongoing monitoring of staff nurses’ practice while practicing endotracheal tube suctioning, provision of guidance to correct unsatisfactory practices and replication of this study on larger probability sample.