Background Thirst is a common and distressing complication among mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units (ICUs), often leading to significant discomfort and adverse psychological consequences. ICU nurses play a pivotal role in the early identification and management of thirst; however, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding thirst management in mechanically ventilated patients remain insufficiently understood. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 2023 and January 2024. An online questionnaire was distributed to ICU nurses from 14 secondary and tertiary general hospitals across seven prefecture-level regions in Hainan Province. The questionnaire assessed nurses’ KAP related to thirst management in mechanically ventilated patients. Differences in KAP scores across participant characteristics were examined using t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to identify independent influencing factors. Mediation analysis was performed to examine whether attitude mediated the association between knowledge and practice. The study was reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist. Results A total of 428 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding a response rate of 91.26%. The mean knowledge score was (13.33 ± 2.90), the mean attitude score was (44.61 ± 5.99), and the mean practice score was (32.97 ± 8.03). Multivariate analyses indicated that age, hospital level, education level, participation in training, and exposure to relevant literature were significant influencing factors for nurses’ KAP regarding thirst management (all P < 0.05). Knowledge was associated with practice both directly and indirectly through the mediating role of attitude. Conclusion ICU nurses demonstrated adequate knowledge and generally positive attitudes toward thirst management in mechanically ventilated patients; however, their clinical practices were relatively insufficient. Knowledge was associated with practice directly and indirectly via attitudes. Identifying gaps in knowledge and attitudes, clarifying influencing factors, and elucidating their interrelationships may inform the development of targeted, context-specific training programs to promote practice improvement, enhance patient comfort, and support recovery. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
He et al. (Sat,) studied this question.