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Abstract

Background: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a critical clinical intervention for managing cardiac emergencies such as sudden cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, and airway obstruction. Effective ACLS relies heavily on healthcare professionals’ ability to recognize early warning signs, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and deliver timely defibrillation using automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Despite its importance, nursing students often lack adequate exposure and training in ACLS, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where formal instruction and simulation-based learning are limited.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge regarding ACLS among Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students at the University of Lahore and to identify areas requiring improvement for enhanced emergency preparedness.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted over three months among 161 BSN students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising seven knowledge-based items. Each correct response was scored on a dichotomous scale, and knowledge was categorized as poor (<50%), good (50–70%), or excellent (>70%). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, and associations between demographic variables and knowledge levels were tested using chi-square analysis.
Results: Among the 161 participants, 50.3% demonstrated poor knowledge, while 49.7% showed good knowledge; none achieved an excellent knowledge score. Significant associations were found between knowledge level and demographic factors such as age (p = 0.005), gender (p < 0.001), and year of study (p < 0.001). The highest mean knowledge score (1.98) was observed for taking action based on patient condition, while the lowest (1.56) was for understanding ACLS principles.
Conclusion: The study highlights considerable knowledge gaps in ACLS among nursing students, emphasizing the urgent need for structured training programs and simulation-based education to enhance clinical readiness in cardiac emergencies.