title: Knowledge and self-efficacy of community health nurses concerning interactions of prescription medicines with over-the-counter agents and alcohol.
abstract: Knowledge and self-efficacy concerning interactions of prescription medications with over-the-counter (OTC) agents were assessed in community health nurses. Three convenience samples of community nurses were recruited to complete the instruments. The first was a sample of 20 experienced nurses working for a local visiting nurse agency (VNARNs). The second was a sample of 20 bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students (graduate nurses [GNs]) completing their final nursing rotation with the VNARNs. The third was a sample of 31 nurses enrolled in a graduate program training nurses for advanced practice (APRNs). There were no significant differences in overall mean self-efficacy scores among the groups of community health nurses. The mean scores indicated moderate self-efficacy about prescription-OTC interactions. Post-hoc analyses determined VNARNs had significantly greater knowledge scores than APRNs. Overall mean self-efficacy was not correlated with mean knowledge scores. Inspection of the knowledge item responses revealed nine general misconceptions about OTC medications held by many community nurses in the sample. The data can guide the development of continuing education programs about prescription-OTC interactions aimed at community health nurses.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs Hall Annex U-26, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Neafsey
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shellman
mesh_terms: D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004347:Drug Interactions; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D020377:Self Efficacy
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs