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. 2025 Aug 25;24:1108. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03784-5

Table 3.

Cognition of adult critical care nurses regarding IAP (n = 1068)

No. Category Question Frequency Percentage
1 Description Which is the correct description of Intra-abdominal pressure?
Intra-abdominal pressure is a stable pressure state in the closed abdominal cavity.* 896 83.9%
Intra-abdominal pressure is produced by the hydrostatic pressure of the abdominal viscera. 93 8.7%
Intra-abdominal pressure decreased during inspiration and increased during expiration. 29 2.7%
Intra-abdominal pressure is determined by abdominal wall compliance. 50 4.7%
2 Description Which is correct about the normal intra-abdominal pressure in critically ill patients?
0–5 mmHg 208 19.5%
5–7 mmHg* 502 47%
8–10 mmHg 269 25.2%
11–13 mmHg 89 8.3%
3 Description Intra-abdominal hypertension refers to
Persistent or repeated pathological elevation of intra-abdominal pressure ≥ 10 mmHg. 216 20.2%
Persistent or repeated pathological elevation of intra-abdominal pressure ≥ 11 mmHg. 122 11.4%
Persistent or repeated pathological elevation of intra-abdominal pressure ≥ 12 mmHg.* 598 56%
Persistent or repeated pathological elevation of intra-abdominal pressure ≥ 13 mmHg. 132 12.4%
4 Description How many grades of intra-abdominal hypertension can be divided?
3 grades 268 25.1%
4 grades* 688 64.4%
5 grades 79 7.4%
6 grades 33 3.1%
5 Description Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) refers to the continuous increase of intra-abdominal pressure exceeding ____ mmHg (with or without peritoneal perfusion pressure < 60 mmHg), combined with new organ dysfunction or organ failure.
15 mmHg 143 13.4%
20 mmHg* 648 60.7%
25 mmHg 187 17.5%
30 mmHg 90 8.4%
6 Consequences What are the mechanisms of organ dysfunction caused by intra-abdominal pressure? (multiple choice item)
The increased intra-abdominal pressure is directly transmitted to other chambers of the body.* 353 33.1%
The increased intra-abdominal pressure is indirectly transmitted to other chambers of the body. 587 55%
Increased intra-abdominal pressure affects systemic haemodynamics.* 323 30.2%
Increased intra-abdominal pressure affects local haemodynamics. 797 74.6%
7 Consequences Increased intra-abdominal pressure will not lead to the following situations?
Increased myocardial compliance, increased cardiac output, and elevated blood pressure.* 528 49.4%
Lung compliance decreased, pulmonary oedema, atelectasis, and hypoxemia. 194 18.2%
Intracranial venous outflow obstruction, intracranial hypertension, and decreased cerebral perfusion. 229 21.4%
Reduced renal blood flow, oliguria, anuria, and renal failure. 117 11%
8 Factors related to IAH What is the pathogenesis of the effect of elevated intra-abdominal pressure on the body?
Related to the oedema of damaged organs and the increase of extracellular fluid caused by direct compression, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, release of vasoactive substances, and increase of vascular.* 630 59%
Related to the oedema of damaged organs and the increase of intracellular fluid caused by direct compression, ischaemia- reperfusion injury, release of vasoactive substances, increase of vascular. 289 27.1%
Related to the increase of abdominal wall tension caused by the increase in abdominal contents. 131 12.3%
Related to the decrease in abdominal wall tension and the increase in abdominal contents. 18 1.7%
9 Factors related to IAH What are the following factors that do not lead to increased intra-abdominal pressure?
Increased content of the abdominal cavity 112 10.5%
Accumulation of abdominal contents 98 9.2%
Increased abdominal wall compliance* 546 51.1%
Capillary leakage and fluid resuscitation 312 29.2%
10 Conditions for IAP monitoring Which of the following situations does not require routine monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure?
When patients have abdominal pathological symptoms. 111 10.4%
When patients have hypoperfusion or excessive fluid. 247 23.1%
During enteral nutrition in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. 192 18%
When patients have trauma leading to exposure of abdominal organs.* 518 48.5%
11 Conditions for IAP monitoring Which of the following situations is prohibited from monitoring intra-abdominal pressure by bladder measurement?
Abdominal surgery 92 8.6%
Intraperitoneal Haemorrhage 259 24.3%
Intestinal obstruction 108 8.6%
Trendelenburg position ( lies supine, feet raised higher than their head)* 609 57%
12 Conditions for IAP monitoring How often do you routinely measure IAP when the patient’s IAP ≥ 12 mmHg?
Every 1 h 116 10.9%
Every 2 ~ 3 h 209 19.6%
Every 4 ~ 6 h* 621 58.1%
Every 6 ~ 8 h 122 11.4%
13 Technique of accurate IAH monitoring What factors will affect the measurement of intra-abdominal pressure? (multiple choice item)
Patients body position* 81 7.6%
Breath holding* 141 13.2%
Infusion volume in bladder* 103 9.6%
Zero reference level* 203 19%
Mechanical ventilation* 180 16.9%
Tension of abdominal muscle* 155 14.5%
Patients wear a chest and abdomen belt* 225 21.1%
Dysphoria* 172 16.1%
14 Technique of accurate IAH monitoring Which of the following operations increase the patient’s risk of urinary or intra-abdominal infection?
Strictly follow the aseptic principle. 133 12.5%
Strictly disinfect each connection port of the pipeline. 46 4.3%
Repeatedly opened the connection and injected with normal saline.* 861 80.6%
Perineal care and catheterisation care 28 2.6%
15 Technique of accurate IAH monitoring What kind of situation does the patient have that should try to avoid the head of the bed elevation?
Grade Ⅰ IAH 98 9.2%
Grade Ⅱ IAH 231 21.6%
Grade Ⅲ IAH 233 21.8%
Grade Ⅳ IAH* 506 47.4%
16 Nursing care for patients with IAH Do you think which method can accurately reflect the capacity status of the patient relatively when IAH happens?
Central venous pressure measured by the traditional (intermittent) technique 217 20.3%
Pulmonary artery wedge pressure is measured by the traditional (intermittent) technique 82 7.7%
Arterial blood pressure measured by pressure transducers 182 17%
Thermodilution or left ventricular end-diastolic volume assessed by ultrasonography* 587 55%
17 Nursing care for patients with IAH Do you think which is the correct setting of ventilator parameters in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension?
The plateau pressure is < 30 cmH2O (1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa). 299 28%
The plateau pressure should be measured by oesophageal pressure or calculated by formula.* 462 43.3%
PEEP was set at 70% of the intra-abdominal pressure. 170 15.9%
PEEP was set at 30% of the intra-abdominal pressure. 137 12.8%
18 Nursing care for patients with IAH When the patient’s intra-abdominal pressure increased to_____, you will suggest to the doctor to implement measures to reduce intra-abdominal hypertension.
7 mmHg 45 4.2%
12 mmHg 369 34.6%
16 mmHg* 385 36%
20 mmHg 203 19%
25 mmHg 66 6.2%
19 Nursing care for patients with IAH If intra-abdominal pressure continues to rise, which of the following measures can be taken? (multiple choice item)
Patients who received enteral nutrition should have received a reduction or suspension of enteral nutrition.* 116 10.9%
Muscle relaxants* 387 36.2%
A large amount of rehydration 811 75.9%
Abdominal ultrasound examination* 179 16.8%
Trendelenburg position 565 52.9%
Haemodialysis/ultrafiltration* 333 31.2%
Open abdomen* 484 45.3%

* The correct answer

IAP: Intra-abdominal Pressure