Nurses’ Knowledge and Awareness of Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Reactions: A Critical Review

Drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions are a significant concern in healthcare settings, as they can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences. Nurses play a crucial role in identifying and managing these reactions, but their knowledge and awareness of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions are often limited. This critical review aims to evaluate the current state of knowledge and awareness among nurses regarding drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions.

Understanding Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Reactions

Drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions, also known as drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs), are adverse reactions to medications that occur in susceptible individuals. These reactions can range from mild symptoms, such as skin rashes and itching, to severe and life-threatening conditions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency characterized by widespread release of mediators from mast cells, leading to vasodilation, increased permeability, and smooth muscle contraction.

The effector cell in drug-induced anaphylaxis is the mast cell. Mast cells play a crucial role in the development of anaphylaxis, releasing histamine and other mediators that cause the characteristic symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Nurses’ Knowledge and Awareness of DHRs

A cross-sectional study published in Cureus investigated the knowledge and awareness of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions among nurses and pharmacists. The study found that nurses’ knowledge and awareness of DHRs were limited, with a mean score of 6.45 (SD 0.04) out of 10. The study also found that hospital level was a significant predictor of nurses’ knowledge and awareness, with a mean score of 9.28 (SD 0.01) out of 10.

The study’s findings suggest that nurses require education and training on DHRs to improve their knowledge and awareness. Immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions, such as anaphylaxis, require prompt recognition and treatment. Nurses must be able to identify the symptoms of anaphylaxis and administer epinephrine and other treatments promptly.

Factors Affecting Nurses’ Knowledge and Awareness

Several factors can affect nurses’ knowledge and awareness of DHRs, including:

Education and training: Nurses who receive education and training on DHRs are more likely to have better knowledge and awareness.
Experience: Nurses with more experience in managing patients with DHRs are more likely to have better knowledge and awareness.
Hospital level: Nurses working in hospitals with a higher level of care are more likely to have better knowledge and awareness.

Implications for Practice

The findings of this critical review have implications for practice:

Nurses require education and training: Nurses require education and training on DHRs to improve their knowledge and awareness.
Policies and guidelines: Hospitals and healthcare organizations should develop policies and guidelines for managing DHRs.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals should collaborate to improve patient care and outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nurses’ knowledge and awareness of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions are limited. Education and training are essential to improve nurses’ knowledge and awareness. Hospitals and healthcare organizations should develop policies and guidelines for managing DHRs, and interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to improve patient care and outcomes. By improving nurses’ knowledge and awareness of DHRs, we can reduce the risk of adverse reactions and improve patient safety.