Principles and nursing management of anticoagulation

Pharmacology Knowledge Among Nurses Working in Nursing Homes in Norway: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

The administration of drugs is an important part of nurses' professional practice. A basic knowledge of pharmacological principles is required to make accurate decisions about drug management and conduct patient medication education. However, several studies have suggested that nurses have inadequate knowledge of pharmacology and medication management.

Objective

To explore the level of knowledge in pharmacology and medication management among nurses working in nursing homes (NHs).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study at 24 NHs in Norway. The nurses took a multiple-choice test in pharmacology with 35 questions at their workplace. Each question had four alternative answers with one answer being correct. One point was awarded for a correct answer and zero for a wrong answer. The test included categories in general pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, and medication management.

Results

In total, 145 nurses completed the questionnaire. In the range of 0-35 correct responses, the mean score for the sum of all questions was 22.5, which equates to 66% of responses being correct. Linear multiple regression showed no association regarding gender, age distribution among the nurses, years since completing basic education in nursing, years of work experience in NHs, postgraduate education, and knowledge of pharmacology and medication management. Knowledge was better in the category medication management (p < 0.001) than in the category's general pharmacology and clinical pharmacology. When evaluating specific test questions, 38.9% of the nurses answered a question on opioids correct, 64.1% a question on anticoagulants correct, 33.5% knew the prerequisites for generic substitution, and 45.5% did not know the difference between agonists and antagonists.

Conclusion

Our results are in line with previous findings. The participating nurses working in the NHs have insufficient knowledge in pharmacology and medication management. This may cause harm and undermine patient safety.

Understanding patient assessment and treatment in deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) commonly develops in the deep veins of the legs, but it can potentially form in any part of the body. There are several risk factors associated with DVT including prolonged immobility, malignancy, recent surgery and family history. One of the main risks of DVT is that the thrombus that has formed in a vein may travel through the body and become lodged in the pulmonary system, causing a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening. In the UK, specialist services and diagnostic pathways have been developed to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of DVT, many of which are now nurse-led. This article uses a case study to outline the assessment of patients with suspected DVT and the treatment of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DVT.

Nurses' knowledge of anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation patients: Effectiveness of an educational course

BACKGROUND

Oral anticoagulation is the most common method to decrease the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE

To assess the knowledge of Jordanian nurses about anticoagulation therapy, the effectiveness of educational courses in increasing their knowledge, and the factors that affect nurses' changing knowledge following completion of an educational course.

METHOD

A pre/posttest quasi-experimental design was used. A total of 123 nurses participated in the study, identified by convenience sampling and recruited from five governmental hospitals in Jordan. To assess changes in knowledge between pre-and posttest, a questionnaire based on European cardiovascular nurses' knowledge of anticoagulation therapy was used. An educational course was given to improve participants' knowledge of anticoagulation therapy. The participants' knowledge was assessed before and after the educational course. For data analysis, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 was used.

RESULTS

Nurses' knowledge of anticoagulants was poor; however, a significant improvement was achieved following the educational course (M = 25.5, SD = 3.41), as compared to before conducting it (M = 12.2, SD = 5.3, t = 42.54, p < 0.001). Having an academic degree was found to affect the change in knowledge scores among participants (t = -3.52, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The educational course was effective in improving the nurses' knowledge. Baccalaureate degree holders achieved more improvement in their knowledge scores. Post-graduate education for nurses would help to improve their knowledge of anticoagulants. Revision of nursing curricula may be deemed necessary to improve the quality of education for nurses during their degree work, especially regarding anticoagulants.