Abstract
Nursing care in patients with decreased level of consciousness involves various activities. Some of them may be linked to the administration of certain topical medication with local effect. The traditional concept of the nursing role in administering medication is tied with the prior medical doctor order. Although real practice seems to differ significantly, this phenomenon has not yet been fully analysed. The aim of this study was to describe the real practice of administering topical medication in the provision of basic nursing care at intensive care units. Methods: A sample of 25 nurses participated in qualitative study. The participants were intentionally selected based on their qualification and working experience in intensive care. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. Data analysis identified 5 main categories describing this practice:
1) indication,
2) choosing medication,
3) frequency of use,
4) specifics of use and administration,
5) documentation. The main areas of nursing care within the framework of administering topical medication with local effect included eye care, oral care, and skin care. Topical medication used during nursing care was not always based on medical doctor order. Factors influencing the choice of particular medication by the nurse in real practice were considerably diverse. The knowledge and experience of the nurse influenced the frequency of the medication use and also modified the mode of administering medication. The extent of this practice, as well as its link to the quality of provided health care, will require further research.