Iranshahr University of medical sciences Scientific Journal of Medical Sciences 2783-4921 2 1 2023 01 01 Effect of Training Defense Mechanisms on the Perceived Stress of Emergency Nurses in the Exposure of Sharp Objects and Patients' Secretions 23 26 EN H. Gholizadgougjehyaran H. Motaarefi H. Habibzadeh Journal Article 2022 07 01 2022 09 21 Aims: Nurses are under stress and fear due to exposure to infectious diseases and needle stick injuries. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of training emergency nurses' defense mechanisms in dealing with sharp objects and patients' secretions. Materials & Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted with 90 emergency nurses selected by census method from two emergency wards of Imam Khomeini and Qamar Bani Hashem hospitals in 2020 and divided into intervention and control groups. Defense mechanisms were taught to nurses in the intervention group by a consultant psychologist. The questionnaire on exposure to sharp objects and secretions of patients and the perceived stress of nurses was completed by nurses before and after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software and non-parametric Chi-square and Covariance tests. Findings: 55.6% of nurses had a history of exposure. The perceived stress mean before the intervention was 94.65±6.17 in the control group and 91.43±7.10 in the intervention group (p>0.05). The perceived stress mean was decreased significantly in the intervention group (62.66±3.19) compared to the control group (94.64±6.15) after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: Implementing the training program reduces the stress of encountering sharp objects and patient secretions in nurses working in emergency departments.