Research Information System
Acta Medica, vol.48, no.1, pp.1, 2017 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
At Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital, chemotherapy treatments are carried out in daily treatment units except in patients who receive high dose
or long-term infusion chemotherapy as in-patients.
Patients who receive chemotherapy at the hospital
and are then discharged usually experience chemotherapy toxicity at their homes.
Initial dose toxicity assessment is performed by
the evaluation of the present state, while continuing courses are evaluated by assessing the patient’s issues with the previous dose of chemotherapy. Evaluation is done according to our “Toxicity
Evaluation Form” updated in 2014 and adapted
from the “Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse
Events (CTAAE) version 4.0”.
With this form we evaluate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bone marrow suppression (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia),
hair loss, mucositis, skin problems, sleep withdrawal, neurological problems, pain, eye problems, malaise, fatigue, sexual problems, weight loss, psychiatric problems which are common issues in patients
who receive chemotherapy. This evaluation can
lead to dose modifications which in turn may assist in the early diagnosis, control and prevention of
possible toxicities.
We, as oncology nurses, are responsible for primarily notifying the patient’s physician about any toxicity we may find, and implementing any medical
treatment to prevent or eliminate said toxicity. Also,
we should plan courses to educate patients in nonpharmacological methods that may assist in reducing or eliminating these symptoms. Although we
educate patients about general chemotherapy and
symptom management at the time of diagnosis;
we have observed that continued education about
symptoms that the patient has experienced increases their participation in the process, thus improving
compliance.
In conclusion, toxicity evaluation is accepted as a
step in determining chemotherapy induced symptoms. Effective education of the patient and the implementation of nursing practices in the control of
symptoms positively effects treatment success and
also increases the quality of life of patients