Perception of the nursing professional about the care related to extravasation of antineoplastic drugs

Abstract

Introduction: The use of antineoplastic chemotherapies acting at the cellular level with the aim of treating malignant neoplasms can lead to the emergence of dermatological toxicity caused by extravasation. This toxicity consists of tissue damage resulting from the infiltration, by intravenous route, of the chemotherapeutic agents to the surrounding tissues, requiring quick and effective professional action to avoid unfavorable outcomes for the patient.

Objective: To understand the nurses' perception of care related to extravasation of antineoplastic drugs. Method: This is a descriptive-exploratory field study with a qualitative approach; it was carried out with fifteen nurses who work in the outpatient and adult oncology wards of a philanthropic hospital located in Recife/Pernambuco, Brazil. Data were collected between January and December 2020 through interviews and underwent thematic-category content analysis.

Results: Two categories emerged: Preventive Care: from the identification of risk factors to the patient and health team education; and Direct Care: from the identification of the occurrence to the institutional management of the event.

Conclusion: It was understood that the nurse's perception highlights the importance of care planning, including immediate intervention, event registration, and patient follow-up after extravasation, to perform specialized care and with greater safety.