Clinical journal of oncology nursing
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Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can be caused or exacerbated by the administration of certain chemotherapeutic agents. The effects of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) are dose limiting and might lead to permanent, debilitating disabilities. Oncology nurses should be aware of the impact of CIPN. ⋯ This article provides a general overview of CIPN, including pathophysiology, causes, risk factors, assessment, and current treatment. Oncology nurses must be alert for the manifestations of CIPN. Early intervention and patient education can have a positive effect on the quality of life for patients with this disorder.
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Assessing pain in cognitively impaired older adults with cancer presents a challenge to healthcare providers. As the age and number of older adults with cancer and cognitive impairments increase, so does the need for appropriate methods and instruments to adequately assess pain in this population. Oncology nurses report pain control to be one of the more challenging aspects of caring for patients with cancer. This article discusses methods and tools used by healthcare providers to accurately assess pain in cognitively impaired older adults with cancer, specific behavioral indicators that healthcare providers should recognize to assess pain accurately among this population, and the most appropriate pain scales to use when assessing pain in this population.
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Many patients with cancer, especially those with lung and breast cancer, experience malignant pleural effusions. Several treatment options exist, and most require hospitalization. ⋯ Nurses play a critical role in educating patients about the use of the Pleurx catheter, as well as teaching patients and family members how to drain the catheter. The purpose of this article is to familiarize nurses with the proper care of Pleurx catheters and provide a basis for patient education.
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Many hospitalized patients with cancer are malnourished. Some become critically ill and experience delayed wound healing, loss of muscle strength, and reduced infection fighting ability as a consequence of the loss of nutritional reserves. Complications of critical illness may cause interruption in normal gastrointestinal function and result in shock, sepsis, hypochlorhydria, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and other disorders. As a result, critically ill patients may require nutritional support.