Knowledge of nurses about using vials and electrolytes, Tehran and Babol Medical Universities, 2002

Abstract

Background and Objective: Treatment of patients is related to cooperation of medical doctors and administration of medical order notes by nurses. With regard to the importance of usage of vials and electrolytes in medical order, this study was done to evaluate the knowledge of nurses about vials and electrolytes administration. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on nurses of teaching hospitals in Tehran and Babol Medical University in summer of 2002. Data was gathered buy a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions. Findings: From 169 cases, 135 (79.9%) were female and 34 (20.1%) were male. There was not a significant difference in answering to 11 questions about vials and electrolytes among nurses who worked in departments of internal medicine, surgery and emergency. Only knowledge of nurses in internal medicine department about administration of electrolytes in patients with obstruction of pylore was more than those in surgery and emergency departments (P=0.049). The knowledge of nurses about responses to 3 questions was null. Conclusion: Knowledge of nurses about vials and electrolytes is low and unsatisfactory. Revising nursing educations and performing program in continuous nursing education about vials and electrolytes are necessary.

Keywords

• nursing
• vials
• electrolytes
• continuous education