Nurses' knowledge of pharmacology behind drugs they commonly administer

Abstract

Aim: To determine if nurses had adequate pharmacology knowledge of the drugs they commonly administer.

Background: Literature suggests that nurses have insufficient pharmacology knowledge. We also know that nurses and teachers of pharmacology are not satisfied with the amount of pharmacology taught in preregistration programmes in the UK. There is a lack of primary research on nurses' knowledge of pharmacology for the purpose of drug administration.

Design: We used a non-experimental causal comparative and correlational design.

Methods: We recruited a convenience sample of 42 nurses working in surgical wards of a foundation hospital in the North of England. Data were collected by structured interview and questionnaire methods. During the interview, the participants made a blinded selection of one out of four drugs they commonly administer and answered standard questions which focused on specific pharmacology knowledge. Their answers were given a score out of 10 (100%) to determine their actual pharmacology knowledge.

Results: The sample comprised of 18 (42.9%) junior nurses and 24 (57.1%) senior nurses. They had a median experience of 10.87 years postregistration. Their mean knowledge score was six ranging between two and nine (SD 1.9). Only 11 (26.1%) nurses scored eight or above and the majority 24 (57.2%) scored below seven, indicating inadequate knowledge. Knowledge of the mechanism of action and drug interactions was poor. There was a correlation between knowledge and experience.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that nurses have inadequate knowledge of pharmacology. The results will contribute to the evidence of nurses' knowledge of pharmacology in the UK.

Relevance to clinical practice: This study supports the need for supplementary pharmacology education for nurses in clinical settings, focusing on common drugs they administer. This will increase nurses' knowledge and confidence in drug administration and safer medicines management.