What in the world is it?
Often seen in advanced disease, this subjective symptom is described as a variation in what an individual may consider a "normal" bowel pattern.
What is constipation?
Jonathon is a 63 year old with glioblastoma multiforme causing increased intracranial pressure. This central pathway is responsible.
What is the midbrain afferent?
Sammy is a 64 year old with colon cancer. He tells you that he has colicky pain in his lower abdomen. Upon exam, he has borborygmi and severe abdominal distention. You identify this as the cause.
What is a bowel obstruction?
Sandra is a 43 year old undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She has been experiencing nausea and vomiting that has been relatively well managed pharmacologically. You recommend she avoid these three types of environmental stimuli as well.
What are sights, sounds, and smells?
This syndrome occurs when there is an inbalance between protein intake and energy expenditure resulting in a loss of skeletal muscle mass.
What is cachexia?
Sally went on a deep sea fishing with her Uncle Joe. Unfortunately, Sally spent the whole trip leaning over the side of the boat with nausea and vomiting. This area of the brain was responsible.
What is the vestibular center?
Jessica is a 62 year old with pancreatic cancer. She would like to make it to her youngest daughter's college graduation but is experiencing debilitating fatigue as her illness progresses. You recommend this medication to be given in the morning and at noon on graduation day.
What is methylphenidate?
The primary goal of the treatment of this GI symptom is to eliminate any possible factors that are contributing and to make sure we maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
What is diarrhea?
This symptom is defined by a decrease in physical, emotional, and mental energy.
What is fatigue?
Sujani is a 73 year old with severe gastric paresis. This pathway is responsible for her nausea and vomiting.
What is the vagal afferent?
Emil is a 72 year old with metastatic cancer pain being treated with a regimen of Oxycontin 30 mg PO Q8 hours. He rarely needs a breakthrough dose, but he does admit to you that he has been taking metamucil for constipation but it isn't working. You recommend he take this osmotic agent and mix it into the beverage of his choice once daily.
What is polyethylene glycol?
Jada is a 67 year old with colon cancer that is responding well to treatment. Her only concerns right now are loss of appetite. You suggest this medication to be taken at HS.
What is mirtazapine?
These symptoms are often described by patients as being more severe and disabling than pain.
What are nausea and vomiting?
Hector is a 73 year old male with end stage renal disease who has refused to go on dialysis. He is experiencing nausea secondary to uremia. This central pathway is responsible.
What is the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone?
Jude is undergoing treatment for oral cancer. He comes to you with complaints of difficulty swallowing and a feeling that his tongue is burning. You examine his oral cavity and see know signs of infection. You think it is this symptom.
What is xerostomia?
Tracy is a 76 year old with heart failure. You recommend a structured exercise program in order to improve this symptom.
What is fatigue?
This often overlooked symptom may be either directly or indirectly caused by medications such as anticholinergics, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and antidepressants.
What is Xerostomia?
Leslie is a 57 year old with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment. This central pathway is responsible.
What is the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone
Phillip is a 68 year old with end stage liver disease. He has severe ascites. His wife of 40 years tells you that she is concerned about his appetite. He doesn't seem to be able to eat more than a few bites of his meals. His current BMI is 18.
What is anorexia?
A trial of this class of medication may be worth trying for 5 to 7 days in those experiencing debilitating fatigue.
What is a corticosteroid?