KNOWLEDGE OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT THE BRAIN

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of nursing students from a private institution of Salvador, on Brain Death, identifying the contribution of the Matrix curriculum for this knowledge, seeking to relate it with the selected semesters. This is a field study, exploratory, quantitative. The study sample consisted of undergraduate students of nursing, enrolled in the 3rd, 5th and 8th semesters. Data collection was conducted from April 12 to May 3, 2013, by means of a questionnaire with eight questions, four discursive and four objectives. We evaluated 61 academics. Only 9.8% knew the concept Brain Death. 29.5% of the students cited a component of the matrix material as a source of knowledge on the topic discussed. However, it was found that there is no curriculum component to address the issue. 29.5% knew about the main causes of Brain Death. Regarding diagnosis, 77.0% do should be done by whom and 78.7% do not know how it's done. 75.4% demonstrated know which hospital the patient should be hospitalized. The duties of nurses needed for the maintenance of the patient, only 19.7% knew about. Was identified poor access to information related to the subject in scientific events and extracurricular activities. It is concluded that nursing students have a low level of knowledge on the subject, which is due in part to limited or no access to the records with that theme during graduation.