A study of the health of pediatric nurses administering cyclosporine A.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the self-reported health status of pediatric nurses who frequently administer Cyclosporine A (CyA).


METHODS
Twenty-two nurses who regularly handle CyA and administer it to children and thirty-one adult medical-surgical nurses who do not handle the drug completed a Health Status Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a chi-square test.


RESULTS
Three symptoms were noted to be statistically more likely to be reported by the CyA-exposed group: constipation, tinnitus, and headache.


CONCLUSIONS
Although causal relationships cannot be inferred due to sample size and potential confounding variables, implications for nursing practice can be derived. Measures for the protection of the nurse administering the drug should be used to avoid transdermal absorption.
V S
VS
Courchene
E
E
Patalski
J
J
Martin
D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003524:Cyclosporins