Background: Oxytocin is the drug more commonly used for mother during labour
for induction and progression of labour process but misuse of oxytocin administration
results in serious adverse effects to mother and baby. Aim: To assess nurses' knowledge
and skills regarding oxytocin administration. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study
design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at labor and delivery Unit in Mansoura
University Hospitals, New General Hospital and Old General Hospital. Sample type: A
convenient sample was utilized. Sample: Sixty nurses who work in the labor room of
selected hospitals. Tools: Tool I: Structured Interview Schedule: It includes general
characteristics of nurse and knowledge of nurses about oxytocin administration. Tool II:
Oxytocin administration observational checklist Results: All of studied group (100%) had
knowledge about time to stop the oxytocin infusion during labor; most of them had
knowledge regarding the interval that oxytocin dosage increased. Also, majority of them
had knowledge regarding the appropriate action to be performed if the uterine hyper
stimulation occurs during oxytocin administration. While three quarters of the studied
group had deficiency knowledge about the appropriate duration of oxytocin action. Regard
to nurses' practice in administration of oxytocin; all of studied group (100%) completely
connects the woman with fetal monitor and record intake and output. Else, majority of them
completely prepare equipment, while around half of studied group not had done wash hands
post procedure and no one complete the partogram. Conclusion: More than two third of the
studied group had average level of knowledge about administration of oxytocin, more than
half of studied group have good practice in administration of oxytocin also, there was a
positive moderate significant correlation between knowledge and practice.
Recommendation: Conducting periodic in-services training program for nurses who are
handling oxytocin drugs to continuous improve knowledge and skills for safe handling
measures and reduce the harmful effects of this drug