Clinical journal of oncology nursing
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Review Case Reports
Measuring patient-oriented outcomes in palliative care: functionality and quality of life.
Outcomes measurement is necessary to evaluate quality of care, increase knowledge about experiences with cancer and therapies, and determine the effectiveness of interventions directed toward improving symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in research and clinical care. Recent attention on outcomes measurement and research in palliative care settings has emphasized the need to incorporate patient-reported outcomes. ⋯ Therefore, oncology nurses must be informed about outcome-measurement issues, including ways to select reliable and valid instruments and determine which ones are appropriate for palliative care populations. Content related to the measurement of patient-oriented outcomes is presented to assist nurses in developing outcomes programs in palliative care settings.
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Review Case Reports
The use of ketamine as adjuvant therapy to control severe pain.
Ketamine used in conjunction with other analgesics has dissociative, analgesic, sedative, and amnesic properties. Ketamine potentiates opiates and analgesics, is rapid acting, and is relatively safe. The United Kingdom and United States use ketamine with opioids in adjuvant pain management for a variety of conditions, including cancer pain. ⋯ Patients have better mobility and quality of life when receiving ketamine as an adjuvant therapy, which promotes assistance with their nursing care. Side effects may occur from administering ketamine and include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and emotional distress. Standard orders help alleviate problems with those symptoms.
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Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) continues to be a significant, debilitating symptom resulting from the administration of neurotoxic chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer. CIPN is an important consequence of cancer treatment because of its potential impact on physical functioning and quality of life. ⋯ Despite investigations concerning pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to either preventing or minimizing the neurotoxicity resulting from certain chemotherapeutic agents, evidence to support the interventions is lacking. This article presents information concerning CIPN and summarizes the evidence for pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to the prevention and treatment of CIPN.
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Review Comparative Study
Is ondansetron more effective than granisetron for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting? A review of comparative trials.
Nausea and vomiting are two of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Guidelines recommend the use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists as a pharmacologic intervention for acute and delayed nausea and vomiting for moderately and highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Although newer antiemetics and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are available, ondansetron and granisetron still are used widely. ⋯ S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria for judging the strength of the overall evidence. Although side effects of ondansetron and granisetron have been reported, they normally are mild and of brief duration, not severe or lasting enough to warrant discontinuation.
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Review Case Reports
Oncology-critical care nursing collaboration: recommendations for optimizing continuity of care of critically ill patients with cancer.
Highly specialized care is required for critically ill patients with cancer, but continuity of care equally is important to their survival when they are admitted to the critical care setting. The use of oncology nurses as liaisons to critical care nurses may help ensure the continuity of care and reduce rates of morbidity and mortality. This article provides a framework for collaborative consultation between oncology and critical care nurses.