Archivos de bronconeumología
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Jul 2008
Comparative Study[Local anesthesia in arterial puncture: nurses' knowledge and attitudes].
Local anesthesia is rarely used in arterial puncture, even though it is recommended. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes and beliefs among nurses and third-year undergraduate nursing students in hospital training regarding the use of local anesthesia when performing arterial puncture and to assess their knowledge of the technique. ⋯ Local anesthesia is used very little in arterial puncture. Knowledge about how to perform arterial blood extraction for blood gas analysis is insufficient and needs to be improved among both nurses and nursing students. Nonetheless it is noteworthy that most of those surveyed indicated a preference for receiving local anesthesia if they were to undergo the procedure. These data should be taken into consideration when training nurses to perform arterial puncture.