Oncology nursing forum
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Oncology nursing forum · Nov 2004
Burden and depression among caregivers of patients with cancer at the end of life.
To examine the patient and family caregiver variables that predicted caregiver burden and depression for family caregivers of patients with cancer at the end of life. ⋯ Very little research exists that prospectively analyzes family caregiver experiences of burden and depression when providing end-of-life cancer care for a family member. Interventions aimed at decreasing caregiver depressive symptoms should be targeted to caregivers who are middle-aged, adult children, and employed. Interventions aimed at decreasing the burden associated with feeling abandoned and having schedules disrupted while providing care should be targeted to caregivers who are female, nonspouse, and adult children, and caregivers of patients with early-stage cancer and multiple symptoms.
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Oncology nursing forum · Sep 2004
Computerized symptom and quality-of-life assessment for patients with cancer part I: development and pilot testing.
To develop and test an innovative computerized symptom and quality-of-life (QOL) assessment for patients with cancer who are evaluated for and treated with radiation therapy. ⋯ The ability to capture an easily interpreted illustration of a patients symptom and QOL experience in less than 10 minutes is a potentially useful adjunct to traditional face-to-face interviewing. Ultimately, electronic patient-generated data could produce automated red flags directed to the most appropriate clinicians (e.g., nurse, pain specialist, social worker, nutritionist) for further evaluation. Such system enhancement could greatly facilitate oncology nurses coordination role in caring for complex patients with cancer.
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To review the clinical pharmacology of vincristine sulfate, describe three types of medication errors associated with its use, and suggest strategies for vincristine sulfate medication error prevention. ⋯ Nurses need to be aware of the types of medication errors that can occur with chemotherapy agents and be familiar with clinical signs and symptoms associated with these errors. Nurses also need to promote patient safety by implementing specific strategies to prevent vincristine medication errors.
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Oncology nursing forum · Sep 2004
Multicenter StudyPatient control and end-of-life care part II: the advanced practice nurse perspective.
To explore the nature of what people with advanced cancer want regarding personal control and comfort at the end of life. ⋯ Nurses must be sensitive to the variety of preferences their patients with advanced cancer may have for engagement in decisions regarding treatment, care management, and activities of daily life.