Journal of pediatric oncology nursing : official journal of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses
-
It is well established that pediatric oncology is perceived as a setting that is personally and professionally demanding. Many sources acknowledge the development of conditions, such as burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization, as a result of being continuously subjected to highly stressful circumstances in a professional capacity. There are a myriad of individual and collaborative factors that are known to mediate stress in the oncology setting. ⋯ From the themes identified within the reviewed studies, it is clear that the applicability of resilience in pediatric oncology nursing has not been thoroughly investigated. The literature suggests that the presence of resilience among pediatric oncology nurses is possible. What is not known is whether there is a link between this resilience and ability to cope with the stressors of pediatric oncology.
-
J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Nov 2009
Bereaved parents' and siblings' reports of legacies created by children with cancer.
This qualitative study explored bereaved parents' and siblings' reports of legacies created by children with advanced cancer. Participants included 40 families of children who died from cancer, with 36 mothers, 27 fathers, and 40 siblings (ages 8-18 years). Individual interviews were completed at home approximately 10.68 months (SD = 3.48) after the child's death. ⋯ Having advanced cancer appeared to motivate children to influence others' lives and prepare for their own deaths. Children's advice about how to live life inspired bereaved family members. Findings contribute to the current knowledge of legacy-making in children and offer implications for practice and future research.
-
J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Jul 2009
Moderate intravenous sedation with fentanyl and midazolam for invasive procedures in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Data were collected prospectively on 100 consecutive invasive procedures, that is, lumbar and bone marrow punctures (alone or in combination), in 16 patients less than 21 years of age with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Efficacy of sedation and the need for restraint were graded according to 2 multiple-point scales. ⋯ Oxygen by face mask was needed in 5 cases, whereas no patient required sedation reversal; 92% of the time, the patient was calm, cooperative, and responding to verbal commands, whereas in 97 procedures, there was no or only minimal patient movement that did not interfere with the completion of the procedure. Inpatient administration of midazolam and fentanyl by trained pediatric providers is safe and effective for invasive procedures in children and adolescents with ALL.
-
J Pediatr Oncol Nurs · Mar 2009
Use of continuous intravenous ketamine for end-stage cancer pain in children.
Children in the terminal stage of cancer may experience intractable pain despite the use of high doses of opioids. The resultant sedating effect of the opioids limits the child's ability to communicate and participate in activities, thereby negatively affecting quality of life. ⋯ At the authors' institution, 2 children with end-stage cancer were started on continuous infusion low-dose ketamine to help achieve adequate pain control and allow the children to be home and interactive for the last weeks of their lives. Each case illustrates the complexities of achieving and maintaining adequate pain control and promoting care of the child and family in a setting that is most appropriate for them.