The Practice of Assessing Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness by Nurses At Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
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Date
2026-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Academic Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing
Abstract
ntensive care unit-acquired weakness
(ICUAW) is an acute dysfunction of the
neuromuscular system in acutely ill patients
admitted in intensive care unit. Best
assessment practices initiated and
maintained from time of admission leads to
positive patient care outcomes. Nurses are
the primary caregivers for critically ill
patients and ICUAW clinical assessments by
nurses mainly follows their clinical
experiences. The research findings
contribute in policy and guidelines
development for all other Critical Care
Units(CCU) in assessment of ICUAW
practices. The main objective of this study
was to evaluate the practices and influencing
factors for ICUAW assessment by nurses
working in the CCU in Kenyatta National
Hospital. Research employed correlational
research design. Multistage proportionate
random sampling method used.193 nurses
were recruited. Informed consent obtained
before the study. Self-administered
questionnaire used. Multivariate analysis
employed. Results presented by use of
frequency tables. Descriptive statistics
utilized to make summaries of the research
data. Permission obtained from Kenyatta
University Graduate School, Kenyatta
University Ethical and Research committee,
National Council for Science and
Technology through commission of
university education, Kenyatta National
Hospital/University of Nairobi Ethical and
Research Committee, the Kenyatta National
Hospital(KNH) administration and the
relevant KNH CCUs nurse managers.
Majority of the participants were female (n
= 149, 77.2%) while male respondents
accounted for 22.8% (n = 44), most
participants aged between 36–45 years (n =
83, 43.0%). A statistically significant
association was found between nurses'
experience in the critical care unit (CCU)
and ICU-AW assessment (χ² = 8.558, p =
0.032). Perception-related variables like
severity of patients’ illness (χ² = 13.749, p =
0.001), patient’s age (χ² = 8.671, p = 0.013),
patients with multiple conditions (χ² =
18.218, p < 0.001), physically inactive
patients (χ² = 5.696, p = 0.045) showed
significant associations with the assessment
practice. The findings indicate that routine
assessment of ICU-acquired muscle
weakness (ICU-AW) is not yet widely
institutionalized among nurses in the critical
care units. Only 20.7% of the respondents
reported that ICU-AW assessment is
routinely performed on patients in their unit,
whereas a significant majority (77.2%)
stated it is not. A conclusion made that
ICUAW assessment practice is majorly
determined by nurses’ attitude and
perceptions whereas the attitude and
perceptions were influenced by knowledge
and skills. Recommendations made for all
healthcare facilities with a CCU to invest in
modern methods of ICUAW assessment
providing appropriate tools for assessing
ICUAW and the nursing education policy be
made on higher nursing education on
ICUAW assessment training
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Citation
Mbua, D. M., Mbuthia, N., Musau, J. K. (2026). The practice of assessing intensive care unit acquired weakness by nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 2(2), 106-128.