[Antiepileptic drugs administration by nasogastric tube in comatose patients]

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the modalities of administration of antiepileptic drugs (AED) with nasogastric tube (NGT) by nurses and to draw up recommendations.

Methods: Our study consisted on investigating the modalities of administration of AED's with NGT by nurses during four months. We prepared 10 questions including demographic information. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. The questionnaire was distributed in seven intensive care departments after authorization of each head of the department. Thus, 45 nurses were included.

Results: Nurses sex ratio was 1.5 and mean age was 31 years (25 to 37 years). Among the nurses, 60% mentioned that the NGT were silicone made and 4% that they were PVC made. The mean duration before replacing the NGT was thought to be 5±3 days. Among the nurses, 91% affirmed to clear the NGT after each use. All the nurses had agreed that the solid form is the most commonly used pharmaceutical form in the NGT. AED were associated with the enteral feeding solution in 56%. The AED should be crushed before administration for 98% of the nurses even in case of polymedication. Among them, 62% recommended to crush all of the associated drugs together. Before introducing the AED into the NGT, 93% of the nurses reported mixing with tap water. We have noticed that 62% of nurses felt the need to improve their knowledge AED administration with NGT.

Conclusion: To optimize AED therapy, modalities of administration by NGT in epileptic comatose patients should be enhanced.

Keywords: Antiepileptic drugs; Antiépileptiques; Coma; Infirmiers; Intubation nasogastrique; Nasogastric intubation; Nurses.