Oncology nursing forum
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Oncology nursing forum · Apr 1998
ReviewIrinotecan hydrochloride: drug profile and nursing implications of a topoisomerase I inhibitor in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
To review the drug profile and nursing implications of the topoisomerase I inhibitor irinotecan hydrochloride. ⋯ Nurses need to focus on identifying and managing adverse effects based on individual patient tolerance. Nurses have an important role to play in patient education and follow up in order to minimize toxicity. Patient care concerns include management of diarrhea and nausea and vomiting, neutropenia with related risk of infection, and fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
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Oncology nursing forum · Apr 1998
Survivors of breast cancer: illness uncertainty, positive reappraisal, and emotional distress.
To explore variables associated with illness uncertainty and emotional distress for disease-free survivors of breast cancer. ⋯ Nurses need to identify, monitor, and assist women who are at risk for illness uncertainty and emotional distress after breast cancer treatment. They also should explore with women positive, growth-promoting aspects of breast cancer, as well as aspects of the disease that are threatening.
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Oncology nursing forum · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of aerobic exercise on self-esteem and depressive and anxiety symptoms among breast cancer survivors.
To evaluate the effects of 10 weeks of aerobic exercise on depressive and anxiety symptoms and self-esteem of breast cancer survivors. ⋯ To Improve depressive and anxiety symptoms following breast cancer surgery, healthcare professionals should consider recommending mild to moderate exercise.
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Oncology nursing forum · Nov 1997
Comparative StudyOncology nurses' practices of assisted suicide and patient-requested euthanasia.
To provide reliable and valid empirical data related to New England Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) members' self-reported practices of assisted suicide and patient-requested euthanasia. Analysis focused on the nurses' practices, a comparison of their practices to a similar sample of oncology physicians, and their use of the healthcare team. ⋯ The relative number of healthcare professionals (physicians or nurses) who admit to hastening a patient's death is small. Nurses in this study received fewer requests to perform euthanasia than physicians, but they performed patient-requested euthanasia four times more frequently than physicians. Professional affiliation appears to be one factor in determining whether or not a patient's request for assistance with death will be granted. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICES: The policy debate about professional roles in actions that end the lives of patients must be extended beyond physicians to include nurses. Nurses must take an active role in the discussion and definition of acceptable practice at the end of life.
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Oncology nursing forum · Nov 1997
Patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward the management of cancer pain.
To examine patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward the management of cancer pain and to identify, from the patients' perspectives, factors contributing to effective and ineffective pain relief. ⋯ A need exists for patient education that addresses patients' misconceptions and concerns about using pain medications and the principles involved in effective cancer pain management.