title: Are nurses knowledgeable in regards to latex allergy?
abstract: Lack of knowledge concerning latex allergy may lead to a life-threatening adverse reaction to natural rubber latex. Registered nurses need a latex allergy knowledge base to provide latex-safe health care to clients and to create a latex-safe environment. This research explored the current knowledge base of registered nurses as related to (1) the care of clients at risk for latex allergy, or diagnosed with latex allergy, and (2) the provision of a latex-safe environment for all populations. This article describes this research and its implications for nurses. A copy of the Latex Allergy Knowledge Base Self-Assessment Questionnaire is included at the conclusion of the article.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Service, Audie Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio 78284, USA.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Norgan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires