Abstract
Background: Routine knowledge assessment ensures that nurses are guided on relevant and recent evidence-based practices to consistently provide efficient and safe patient care. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses assigned in the intensive care unit, male intermediate care unit, female intermediate care unit, and convalescent ward. The Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool (PUKAT) 2.0 was used in the study. Results: The total mean knowledge score was 40.53% (SD 9.72). Of the 114 participants, only 1.8% (2) scored a satisfactory rate of >= 60%. Analysis by theme showed that the highest score was from 'risk assessment' with a mean score of 52.63%, while the least score was from 'prevention of pressure ulcers' with 23.68%. There were no significant differences found on mean scores when samples were grouped according to characteristics. Conclusions: Findings of the study demonstrate knowledge gaps of nurses on pressure ulcer prevention. Unsatisfactory scores were noted specifically on the guidelines of preventing pressure ulcers, particularly in the effective techniques of positioning and repositioning, and the use of preventive devices.