Background: Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s number one killer claiming almost as many lives as cancer, accident, pulmonary infection and all other causes of death combined. A cardiac arrest, also known as cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiopulmonary arrest or circulatory arrest, is the abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively during systole [1]. Dysrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) are common in people with cardiac disorders but also occur in people with normal hearts. Because seconds can literally make the difference between life and death for the person who is experiencing a serious dysrhythmias, evaluating responsiveness, quickly activating the emergency medical services and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation can determine the outcome [2]. Nurses plays important role in controlling and preventing dysrhythmias. Lack of adequate knowledge regarding the use of defibrillator may be life threatening. Hence the study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of self instructional module on knowledge and practice regarding use of defibrillator  among staff nurses working in selected areas of hospitals of the city, Nagpur.

Objectives: to assess the pre test and posttest knowledge and practice, and to associate the knowledge and practice score with selected demographic variables.

Methodology: a pre-experimental one group pretest posttest design was adopted for the study. It was conducted over 60 staff nurses and was selected by using non probability purposive sampling technique. Pre test was done using self structured questionnaire for knowledge and observation check list for practice. After pretest, the researcher administered self instructional module regarding knowledge and practice. Post test was done after seven days and analysis showed that there was significant increase in knowledge and practice after administering self instructional module. The analysis revels that post test mean knowledge score value which was 22.60 with SD of ±2.36 when compared with pre test mean knowledge score value which was 11.83 with SD of ±2.76. The calculated t value 23.89 is greater than table value 2.00 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus H1 is accepted and H0 is rejected and post test mean practice score was higher 18.78with SD of ±1.73 when compared with pre test mean practice score value which was 11.43 with SD of ±2.16. The calculated t value 23.79 is greater than table value 2.00 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus H1 is accepted and H0 is rejected.

Conclusion: The significantly association was found on knowledge with area of work. Thus, the study concluded that self instructional module was effective in improving knowledge and practice regarding use of defibrillator.

Keywords: Staff Nurses; Use of Defibrillator; Self Instructional Module; Knowledge; Practice.