Purpose: This study aimed to describe nurses' knowledge and practices toward patients with acute or chronic confusion.
Design and methods: A cross-sectional design was used, and 249 nurses engaged in clinical practice fulfilled an online self-report questionnaire.
Findings: Tools for diagnosing acute confusion/delirium are never used by 57.80% of the nurses. Between 80% and 81% of nursing interventions involve managing patients' physical environment and between 62% and 71% deal with managing communication. Theoretical training in the use of tools for assessing and intervening in cases of confusion was significantly associated with nurses' knowledge and practices.
Practice implications: These results suggest the need for increased investment in nurses' training.
Keywords: Confusion; delirium; dementia; knowledge, nurse.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.