ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL MEDICATION AMONG NURSES AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL LAHORE

Abstract

Background: Medication administration is a critical aspect of nursing practice, with the oral route being the most commonly used due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. However, medication errors remain a significant concern, often attributed to inadequate adherence to best practices. Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring safe drug administration, educating patients, and monitoring for adverse reactions. Despite having sufficient pharmacological knowledge, gaps in practice and attitudes toward oral medication administration may compromise patient safety, necessitating further investigation into this issue.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of nurses regarding the administration of oral medication in a tertiary care hospital setting.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing a simple random sampling technique to select 125 nurses working in medical units. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice, with responses recorded on a categorical scale (Yes/No). Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, applying descriptive statistics for frequency distribution and percentage analysis.

Results: Among the participants, 60.8% were married, and 60.0% were aged between 18-25 years. A total of 52.0% held a nursing diploma, while 48.0% had specialized training. Regarding experience, 62.4% had 6-10 years of practice. The majority demonstrated sufficient knowledge, with 91.2% correctly identifying that antibiotics should be given after meals, 93.6% recognizing that glyceryl trinitrate is administered sublingually, and 96.0% acknowledging the importance of timely antibiotic administration. Despite strong knowledge, gaps in practice were evident, with 84.0% admitting to placing medications on patient lockers when busy, and 18.4% opting to administer drugs single-handedly instead of seeking assistance.

Conclusion: While nurses exhibited adequate knowledge of oral medication administration, deficiencies in practice and attitude were observed. Strengthening adherence to safety protocols, reinforcing patient education, and implementing continuous professional training are essential to enhancing medication safety and reducing preventable errors.