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Stack #38917
RRC Maintenance - chemo/radiation side effects and interventions
question | answer |
---|---|
STOMATITIS | Be aware that eating, swallowing and talking are difficult, Encourage use of artificial saliva, Assess oral mucosa daily and teach patient to do this, Discourage use of irritants, such as tobacco and ETOH, Apply local anesthetic, such as viscous Xylocaine |
NAUSEA and VOMITING | Teach to eat and drink when not nauseated, Administer anti-emetics as needed, Use diversional activities (as appropriate) |
ANOREXIA | Monitor weight, Provide small, frequent meals of high protein, high-calorie foods, Gently encourage patient to eat, but avoid nagging, Serve foods in a pleasant environment |
DIARRHEA | Given anti-diarrheal as needed |
CONSTIPATION | Provide stool softeners as needed, Encourage high-fiber foods, Encourage increasing fluid intake |
HEPATOTOXICITY | Monitor liver function tests |
ANEMIA | Monitor Hgb and Hct levels, Encourage intake of food that promote RBC production |
LEUKOPENIA | Monitor WBC count, especially neutrophils, Teach to report temperature elevations and any other manifestations of infection, Teach to avoid large crowds and people with infections, Teach to use good hand-washing techniques |
THROMBOCYTOPENIA | Observe for signs of bleeding, Monitor Hgb, Hct and platelet counts, Teach to use soft-bristle toothbrush and electric razor |
ALOPECIA | Discuss impact of hair loss on self-image, Suggest ways to cope with hair loss (hair pieces, wigs, scarves), Cut long hair before therapy, Avoid excessive shampooing, brushing and combing of hair, Avoid use of electric hair dryers, curlers or curling rods |
SKIN REACTIONS | Protect skin from trauma, Lubricate dry skin with non-irritating creams, Avoid the use of harsh soaps |
CYSTITIS | Monitor for manifestations such as urgency, frequency and hematuria |
REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTION | Discuss these changes with the patient |
NEPHROTOXICITY | Monitor BUN and serum creatinine levels |
INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE | may be controlled with steriod and pain medication, Assess for changes in LOC, orientation, etc |
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY | Monitor for paresthesias, areflexia, skeletal muscle weakness, and smooth muscle dysfunction when clients are taking plant alkaliods and cisplatin |
PNEUMONITIS | Monitor for dry, hacking cough, fever and exertional dyspnea |
CARDIOTOXICITY | Monitor heart with ECG and cardiac ejection fractions, Drug therapy may need to be modified |
HYPERURECEMIA | Monitor uric acid levels, Allopurinol may be given as a prophylactic measure, Encourage high-fluid intake |
FATIGUE | Tell patient that fatigue is an expected side effect of therapy, Encourage patient to rest when fatigued, to maintain usual lifestyle as closely as possible and to pace activities in accordance with energy levels |
PAIN | Use analgesic ladder to provide basis for pain management, Teach use of imagery, relaxation therapy, etc |