Knowledge of nurses in the administration and regulation of high alert medications in oncology

Abstract

Objective: To identify the knowledge of nurses about the administration and regulation of high surveillance drugs in an oncology hospital in Brazil.
Method: Cross-sectional research with quantitative approach carried out from September to October 2021, in five hospitalization units. The participants were 26 nurses who answered Nurses’ knowledge of high alert medications. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and questions with scores ≥70% represented satisfactory knowledge.
Results: Most nurses reported not having participated in training for the administration of high surveillance medications (57.7%; n=15). The overall average knowledge was 79.9%. It was observed that the average knowledge for administration of these drugs was 80.4%, and eight questions obtained a score ≥ 70% of correct answers, especially those related to the speed of infusion, the route of administration and dilution of concentrated solutions. Regarding regulation, the average knowledge was 78.6%, and the question “If the patient can tolerate, it is indicated that potassium chloride is administered orally instead of intravenously” obtained the highest error rate (50%), followed by the item “Use “Ampoule” or “vial” for dosage measurement, instead of “mg” or “g” with 46.2% incorrect answers.
Conclusion: Nurses’ knowledge about the use and regulation of high surveillance drugs was satisfactory, although there is a need to improve it to promote safe care in the oncological context.