The Factors That Influence Chemotherapy Exposure Among Nurses: An Integrative Review

Background: Exposure to chemotherapy is an occupational hazard predisposing nurses to severe health effects. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify the recent literature describing the risk factors for occupational exposure to chemotherapy among nurses. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology was employed to conduct the review. The databases searched were Scopus, PubMed, and CINAHL using the search terms “chemotherapy,” “drugs,” “exposure,” and “nurses.” Included articles were published between January 2010 and February 2022, published in peer-reviewed journals for research conducted in the United States, and written in English language. Excluded articles were studies that did not involve nurses in their samples. Review articles, books, theses, and dissertations were excluded as well. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model was used to assess the level of evidence from the reviewed studies. Findings: Fourteen studies were included in this review. Ten studies were rated on Evidence Level III, two on Evidence Level II, one on Evidence Level I, and one on Evidence Level V. The main risk factors for occupational exposure were nurses’ knowledge of chemotherapy handling guidelines, nurses’ adherence to using the personal protective equipment, nurses’ health beliefs regarding chemotherapy exposure, and workplace-related factors such as workload and managerial support. Conclusion: Addressing the identified risk factors would protect nurses from chemotherapy exposure. More research on nurses’ health beliefs regarding chemotherapy exposure and the cues to adhere to chemotherapy handling guidelines in the work environment is needed.