Weight Gain and Fatigue Effect on Nursing Students Performing High-Fidelity CPR Simulation

TL;DR

This study found that wearing a weighted vest during CPR simulations increases physiological stress in nursing students, which could affect their performance.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel simulation approach using weighted vests to assess the physical impact on nursing students during high-fidelity CPR training.

Findings

Wearing a vest during CPR led to increased heart rate, lactate, and cortisol levels.

Physiological variables showed significant time-based changes during the simulation.

Weight gain and fatigue may negatively affect CPR performance in nursing students.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of weight gain and fatigue on nursing students performing high-fidelity cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) simulation. Methods: A simulation-based research study (with or without a vest) was performed at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla la Mancha (Spain), with volunteer nursing students. Vital signs, pain scale, pupillary sizes, analytical parameters, and lifestyle habits were evaluated before, during, and after CPR. The differences between groups were assessed by ANOVA for time and group factors. Results: A total of 31 participants met the inclusion criteria, 15 subjects without a vest and 16 subjects with a vest. The ANOVA results revealed that all the variables presented statistically significant time effects, except for glucose. For the group effect, heart rate, lactate, and cortisol presented statistically significant differences between subjects with and without vests. Conclusions: Vital signs and physiological variables increased during CPR with vests. This could negatively impact the CPR procedure. The implementation of physical training programs aimed at improving the performance of future health professionals during CPR should be studied.

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