http://jnep.sciedupress.com Journal of Nursing Education and Practice 2017, Vol. 7, No. 2 ORIGINAL RESEARCH Effect of care protocol on the knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Dina M. Mohamed, Salwa S. Ahmed, Asmaa H. Mohamed, Asmaa A. Abdel Rahman * Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Received: August 7, 2016 Accepted: August 28, 2016 Online Published: October 17, 2016 DOI: 10.5430/jnep.v7n2p107 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v7n2p107 ABSTRACT Background: Care protocol for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is considered as a strategy for promoting their knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of care protocol on knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes of patients with COPD through the following: A. Assessment of knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). B. Developing and implementing care protocol for patients with COPD. C. Evaluating the effect of care protocol on knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes of patients with COPD. Methods: Study design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: The study was conducted at chest department and outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University Hospitals. Subjects: A purposive sample of 50 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was included in the study. Data collection tools: (1) Patients’ assessment sheet. (2) Patients’ observational checklists. (3) Clinical outcomes assessment sheet. Results: There were statistically significant differences between mean scores of the pre and post test regarding patients’ knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes except for respiratory muscle training. Conclusions: Application of care protocol for patients with COPD has positive effect on improving knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes regarding dyspnea, fatigue, sleep quality, mood. Recommendations: Applying care protocol for all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the chest units and up-dating its content periodically in order to improve knowledge, practice and clinical outcomes for those patients. Key Words: Care protocol, Clinical outcomes, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1. I NTRODUCTION Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a com- mon, preventable, and treatable disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation. It is a type of obstructive lung disease in which chronic incompletely reversible airflow lim- itation and inability to breathe out fully (air trapping) exist. The poor airflow is the result of breakdown of lung tissue (known as emphysema) and small airways disease (known as obstructive bronchiolitis). [1] COPD is the fourth most common cause of death in the world. It disproportionately affects those of lower socioeconomic status and older adults, creating reluctance to diagnose and * Correspondence: Asmaa A. Abdel Rahman; Email: dr.asmaa.saleh@nursing.asu.edu.eg; Address: Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Published by Sciedu Press 107