Abstract

BARBOSA, Islene Victor et al. Nursing professionals’ knowledge about erythropoietin. Rev. esc. enferm. USP [online]. 2011, vol.45, n.3, pp. 617-623. ISSN 0080-6234.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342011000300010.

This study was performed with the objective to evaluate the knowledge that nursing professionals have about the process of preserving, preparing and administering erythropoietin (EPO). This exploratory, descriptive study used a quantitative approach. It was performed at a Dialysis Center, from January to March 2009, and consisted on applying a questionnaire to 40 nursing professionals. All ethical aspects were taken into consideration. About the interaction of EPO with the patients' blood pressure, 87.5% had inadequate knowledge; only 32% knew the ideal temperature to preserve the drug, and 52.5% believe that it should be removed from the refrigerator about 15 to 30 minutes before its administration; intravenous administration was the most reported. Among the care before the administration, the most frequent was checking the expiration date; 57.5% used exclusive syringe for the administration and 95% usually register having administered the drug.

Keywords : Erythropoietin; Nursing; Knowledge.