Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding the Safe Administration of Intravenous Chemotherapy in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Safe administration of intravenous chemotherapy is a critical responsibility of oncology nurses due to the high-risk nature of chemotherapeutic agents. Inadequate knowledge and unsafe practices may increase the risk of medication errors, adverse events, and compromised patient safety. Assessing nurses’ knowledge and practices is essential for identifying educational needs and improving the quality of oncology care.

Aim: To assess nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding the safe administration of intravenous chemotherapy in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 registered nurses working in oncology-related units of a tertiary care hospital. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge-related questions, and practice-related items. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize findings and determine associations between study variables.

Results: The findings revealed that 50.4% of nurses had moderate knowledge, 31.6% had good knowledge, and 18.0% had poor knowledge regarding intravenous chemotherapy administration. Regarding practices, 54.1% demonstrated satisfactory practices, 32.3% showed good practices, and 13.5% reported poor practices. A significant association was found between clinical experience and knowledge level (p = 0.012).

Conclusion: Nurses demonstrated predominantly moderate knowledge and satisfactory practices regarding safe intravenous chemotherapy administration. Continuous education, competency-based training, and regular assessments are recommended to improve chemotherapy-related knowledge and clinical practice.