Oncology nursing forum
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Oncology nursing forum · Jul 1990
ReviewPatterns of nausea and vomiting in children: nursing assessment and intervention.
Although aggressive treatments for childhood cancer have resulted in an increased cure rate, increased incidence of treatment-related side effects also has occurred. Nausea and vomiting are two common side effects of cancer treatment in children. ⋯ Focus is placed on assessment, incidence and etiology of nausea and vomiting, patterns of nausea and vomiting, developmental influences on nursing intervention, innovative nursing strategies, behavioral interventions, specific antiemetic therapy, and home care. A need for further study of nausea and vomiting associated with childhood cancer treatment is identified.
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Oncology nursing forum · Jul 1990
Delirium in patients with cancer: nursing assessment and intervention.
Delirium has been found to occur in 25% to 40% of patients with cancer at some time during their illness and has been reported to be as high as 85% in patients with advanced disease. The cognitive and behavioral changes associated with delirium cause emotional distress to the patient and family. More seriously, delirium can lead to dementia or death if untreated. ⋯ This presentation offers a standard of care which describes the nursing diagnoses associated with delirium, specific assessment criteria, interventions, and expected patient outcomes. Delirium represents a quality of life issue. This standard of practice provides the means for the nurse to have an impact on the patient's and family's quality of life.
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Oncology nursing forum · May 1990
Children's medical fears, coping behaviors, and pain perceptions during a lumbar puncture.
This study explored the relationships among medical fears, coping behaviors, and acute pain perceptions in 17 children with cancer who were encountering a painful medical procedure. The children completed the Child Medical Fear Scale (CMFS) before undergoing a lumbar puncture (LP), which was videotaped. The children's coping behaviors during the procedure were rated independently and classified as active or passive behaviors. ⋯ During the five phases of the painful medical procedure, more than half of the children exhibited a combination of active and passive behaviors. No significant differences were found between exhibited active or passive coping behaviors and reported medical fear levels; however, children who exhibited passive coping behaviors reported more pain than those who demonstrated active coping behaviors. Implications for practice relate to the need for continual preparation and support of children during a painful procedure.
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Oncology nursing forum · Mar 1990
Comparative StudyThe death surround: factors influencing the grief experience of survivors.
Factors surrounding the death of a loved one can have a profound impact on the grief experience of survivors. This study examined the relationship between participation in a hospice program of care, place of death, length of illness prior to death, and the grief experience of survivors of patients who have died of cancer. Sixty survivors responded to the Grief Experience Inventory (GEI). ⋯ Survivors of those who died in the home had fewer guilt feelings and decreased death anxiety, but showed greater social isolation tendencies and were more apt to dwell on thoughts of the deceased. Finally, survivors of those who were ill six months or less had a greater need for dependency on others, isolated themselves more, and had increased feelings of anger and hostility. Study findings have significant implications for providing a death surround that enables an appropriate death for the patient and adaptation of the family that can lead to a more successful bereavement for survivors.