Administration of medicines through enteral: Nursing knowledge and praxis in view of the therapeutic response

Abstract

This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. It aimed to identify and discuss the knowledge of the nursing staff in the administration of medications through enteral route regarding the therapeutic response in the practice of nursing care. It was carried out in four public hospital institutions, in the cities of Cabo Frio and in Arraial do Cabo, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The subjects were 103 nursing professionals, among them: nurses, nursing technicians and nursing assistants from the sectors of medical and surgical clinic. Data were collected between February and April 2019, through a semi-structured questionnaire, and a descriptive statistical analysis of the data was performed. The pharmaceutical, legal, and technical implications of providing enteral medication are not widely understood by the nursing team. There was a need to recommend to the Nursing Councils the elaboration of manuals and/or protocols in order to avoid possible adverse events in the administration of medications through enteral route, increasing the safety and effectiveness of the therapy in question, helping to reduce damage to the patient.