Clinical journal of oncology nursing
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Increased understanding of the molecular composition of breast cancer tumors has led to the development of targeted anticancer agents. Novel therapies directed against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in breast cancer have been developed. One such agent, trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), is an antibody drug conjugate that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of women with HER2-positive breast cancer. ⋯ The most concerning grade 3 or higher adverse events associated with T-DM1 include thrombocytopenia and transaminitis. To ensure that these adverse events do not delay or interrupt treatment, oncology nurses need to familiarize themselves with these risks and their management. This article reviews the clinical development of T-DM1 and its usage, with a focus on the nurse's role in preventing and managing adverse events associated with T-DM1 therapy.
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Dyspnea is a frequent focus of palliative care, which nurses can better address using the skills of comprehensive assessment and an updated knowledge base about appropriate medical, pharmaceutical, and nonpharmaceutical interventions. A solid clinical foundation about dyspnea allows clinicians to establish an effective plan of care. This column features two clinical case studies, which review clinical assessment in palliative care and appropriate targeted treatment strategies and interventions.
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Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common side effect of cancer and cancer treatments. Assessing for sexual dysfunctions in women with cancer is a vital component of helping women to have better, more satisfying sexual experiences. FSD is not widely addressed in most healthcare facilities or by healthcare providers, but it is a topic that all providers should be discussing with their female patients.
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Oncology nurses consistently exhibit distress when communicating about end-of-life topics with patients and families. Poor communication experiences and processes correlate with emotional distress, moral distress, and work-related stress. ⋯ Communication's value to palliative and oncology nursing is unique because those two specialties include a high frequency of challenging interactions for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. The COMFORT communication curriculum, a holistic model for narrative clinical communication in practice developed for use in early palliative care, is posed as a resource for oncology nurses with a series of practice case examples presented against the backdrop of NCP's eight domains of quality palliative care.