Knowledge of nurses about nutritional therapy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge of nurses of a general teaching hospital and high complexity on nutritional therapy and care for patients using it. METHOD: Quantitative, descriptive, observational study conducted with 39 nurses. A questionnaire was applied and descriptive statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The knowledge of aspects considered essential on enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy reached rates of accuracy higher than 60% for most questions raised. However, there were differences regarding the performance of procedures related to this therapy, such as insertion of the nasogastric catheter and evaluation of gastric stasis. The understanding of the gastro and jejunostomy showed to be limited, which can compromise patient care. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of nurses about basic aspects of nutritional therapy can be considered, in general, satisfactory, and should be continuously updated and improved in order to contribute to a safe, reflected and standardized practice.