Hand Dermatitis in Nursing Students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of self-reported hand dermatitis and the factors influencing its prevalence among nursing students. METHODS: Researchers collected demographic data and used a self-assessment form to identify dermatologic symptoms. The questionnaires were distributed to the students and collected again after the students completed the forms. RESULTS: Hand dermatitis was present in 20.9% of nursing students. The most common symptoms were irritation/pruritus, redness/cracking, flaking/rash, swelling, and vesicles in hands. The grade of the student, the presence of allergy complaints, and medication used to treat dermatitis were statistically significantly associated with dermatitis prevalence. The use of gloves and cleansing agents used in handwashing were factors linked to hand dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Hand dermatitis increases in parallel with the increase of clinical practice hours among nursing students. Familial and environmental factors also increase the risk of hand dermatitis.

Hand dermatitis among paediatric nurses.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Hand dermatitis is regarded as one of the most often observed dermatological disorders among nurses. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of self-reported hand dermatitis and related factors among paediatric nurses. BACKGROUND: The most common occupational skin disease in the nursing profession is hand dermatitis. Various risk factors are known to exist including the type of soap used at work, the number of hand washes per shift and the nursing job category, among others. DESIGN: This study was conducted among a group of 158 nurses based in three paediatric hospital departments in Bursa. METHODS: Data were collected using a questionnaire prepared by the investigators. Each nursing unit was visited twice by a single investigator. All nurses working at the time of each visit were questioned and examined. RESULTS: Of the nurses, 47.5% had hand dermatitis. The damage was not correlated with age or the type of soap used at work, but was significantly correlated with the hospital, unit, number of hand washes (p < 0.05), history of allergy (p < 0.01) and type of hand protection (p < 0.001). Hand dermatitis was more common in the ICU and infectious disease units. Most of the nurses did not apply hand cream at the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Damage to hands is a common and potentially serious problem among nurses and is associated with unit, glove usage and hand-washing practices instead of with demographic factors. A high frequency of hand dermatitis was observed among paediatric nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The proper preventive programmes should be implemented for those nursing staff working in high-risk units.

Evaluation of students' knowledge about paediatric dosage calculations.

Medication errors are common and may jeopardize the patient safety. As paediatric dosages are calculated based on the child's age and weight, risk of error in dosage calculations is increasing. In paediatric patients, overdose drug prescribed regardless of the child's weight, age and clinical picture may lead to excessive toxicity and mortalities while low doses may delay the treatment. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of nursing students about paediatric dosage calculations. This research, which is of retrospective type, covers a population consisting of all the 3rd grade students at the bachelor's degree in May, 2015 (148 students). Drug dose calculation questions in exam papers including 3 open ended questions on dosage calculation problems, addressing 5 variables were distributed to the students and their responses were evaluated by the researchers. In the evaluation of the data, figures and percentage distribution were calculated and Spearman correlation analysis was applied. Exam question on the dosage calculation based on child's age, which is the most common method in paediatrics, and which ensures right dosages and drug dilution was answered correctly by 87.1% of the students while 9.5% answered it wrong and 3.4% left it blank. 69.6% of the students was successful in finding the safe dose range, and 79.1% in finding the right ratio/proportion. 65.5% of the answers with regard to Ml/dzy calculation were correct. Moreover, student's four operation skills were assessed and 68.2% of the students were determined to have found the correct answer. When the relation among the questions on medication was examined, a significant relation (correlation) was determined between them. It is seen that in dosage calculations, the students failed mostly in calculating ml/dzy (decimal). This result means that as dosage calculations are based on decimal values, calculations may be ten times erroneous when the decimal point is placed wrongly. Moreover, it is also seen that students lack maths knowledge in respect of four operations and calculating safe dose range. Relations among the medications suggest that a student wrongly calculating a dosage may also make other errors. Additional courses, exercises or utilisation of different teaching techniques may be suggested to eliminate the deficiencies in terms of basic maths knowledge, problem solving skills and correct dosage calculation of the students.