Oncology nursing forum
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Oncology nursing forum · Aug 1997
Review5-HT3-receptor antagonists: a review of pharmacology and clinical efficacy.
To review the role of serotonin in chemotherapy-induced emesis and the mechanism by which 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3)-receptor antagonists block the action of serotonin; to review the pharmacology and clinical efficacy of the 5-HT3-receptor antagonists in controlling nausea and vomiting induced by highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens, including a comparison of agents in this class. ⋯ 5-HT3-receptor antagonists have had a profound impact on the clinical management of acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Based on their unique mechanism of action and low toxicity profile, the 5-HT3-receptor antagonists offer a relatively new approach to controlling nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
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Oncology nursing forum · Aug 1997
ReviewRisk factors and antiemetic management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
To review the emetic potential of chemotherapeutic agents and the specific factors that may help to identify patients who are most vulnerable to nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. To review the classes of antiemetic drugs that effectively control nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapeutic regimens. ⋯ Nursing care involves educating patients about self-care initiatives for effective management of chemotherapeutic side effects, including compliance with prescribed antiemetic regimens to prevent nausea and vomiting.
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To promote accurate patient assessment, effective patient teaching, and useful research design and outcomes by defining the concepts of nausea, vomiting, and retching; to review the usefulness of self-care guides in assessing the patient's symptom experience. ⋯ Effective management of the patient's symptom experience depends on the oncology nurse's ability to differentiate occurrence and distress of the individual symptoms and to implement current knowledge not only of chemotherapy, antiemetic drugs, and nonpharmacologic interventions but of unerring ongoing assessments that lead to cost-effective, clinically useful patient outcomes. Basic scientific knowledge for research, practice, and education necessitates reliable, valid measurement tools that differentiate the components and dimensions of the individual symptoms.
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Oncology nursing forum · Jun 1997
Comparative StudyA comparison of the level of hope in patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent cancer.
To compare levels of hope in patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent cancer. ⋯ Patients with newly diagnosed cancer use their treatment and nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals as sources of hope and support. Patients with recurrent cancer reported drawing hope from faith. IMPLICATIONS AND NURSING PRACTICE: Heightened awareness of the patient-healthcare professional relationship will enable healthcare professionals to provide care that is more sensitive to one congruent with patients' needs. Healthcare professionals need to assess the meaning of faith for each individual patient and offer services to foster this source of hope.
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Oncology nursing forum · Jan 1997
Review Comparative StudyNurse and patient satisfaction with three types of venous access devices.
To examine patient and nurse satisfaction with three types of venous access devices (VADs)--port, Groshong (Bard Access Systems, Salt Lake City, UT), and Hicman (Bard Access Systems)--and to identify the problems and benefits experienced with each type of device. ⋯ Nurses need to ensure that other care providers have appropriate information on the care of VADs. This could be accomplished via written instructions on VAD care and followup telephone calls to care providers. A need exists for continued patient education on VAD care to minimize complications. The selection of an appropriate VAD should be based on the patient's best interests rather than on nurses' preferences.