Nurse’s knowledge concerning care of post-op mastectomized women

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide, breast cancer is the leading cause of death from maligrant neoplasms. In 2030, it will represent approximately 850 000 deaths of women in working age, and 85 % of those patients will be aged between 29 and 69 years. For women with breast cancer undergoing a mastectomy and those who went through chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, the care that the nurse must provide is essential.

Objective: To describe the knowledge of nurses on postoperative care to women with mastectomy.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 200 oncology nurses was carried out; a structured instrument with eight points and 29 test items was designed; the pilot test was performed in 10 % of the sample, and the reliability of the instrument was stablished by using cronbach’s alpha.

Results: The level of knowledge about post-op patient care was: excellent (34 %) and good (50.5 %). However, in the areas of food (47 %), clothing (37.5 %) and breast self-examination (56  %), the knowledge was not satisfactory.

Conclusions: Monitoring of nurses during the care of post-op mastectomized women is essential for recovery; thereby, it is important to systematize the training in specific items of food, clothing and breast self-examination.