KNOWLEDGE OF NURSING STAFF IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS IN GASTROINTESTINAL EMERGENCIES

Abstract

Objectives: This research aimed to determine the knowledge of nursing staff in the management of patients in gastrointestinal emergencies at the Student University Social Security Center. Methods: The research was descriptive with a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional approach due to the short research period. Both theoretical and empirical methods were applied. Data collection was carried out through a survey with closed questions to a population of 12 nurses and also used the nursing treatment notebook. Results: 100% of professionals were female, aged 31 to 50 years. In terms of knowledge, 92% indicated laboratory studies and ultrasound for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal problems, 75% acute appendicitis as the most frequent pathology, and 92% recognized values of an infectious process. Regarding interventions, 42% performed anamnesis, 33% monitored vital signs, and 67% indicated administering antibiotics as the first measure for gastrointestinal problems due to an infectious process. Conclusions: The study showed that nursing staff are professionally qualified to provide care to their insured, since a minimal error rate was found in the responses to the survey administered to nursing staff.