General S/S
These are the two most common side effects experienced by cancer patients regardless of diagnosis and treatment.
What is fatigue and pain?
True or False:
Nail changes are usually permanent.
False: Most resolve several months after treatment ends.
This symptom characterized by unilateral ascending edema, hyperkeratosis, and localized heaviness is often caused by lymphadenectomy.
What is lymphedema?
This ancillary care provider should be consulted as early as possible when anorexia is identified.
Who is the dietician?
Altered balance and tinnitus are symptoms of peripheral or central neuropathy?
Heat, massage, acupuncture, and guided imagery are all non-pharmacological strategies that may help address this symptom.
What is pain?
A moderate maculopapular rash r/t checkpoint inhibitor treatment typically indicates this.
What is a strong desired effect in the body?
A patient presenting with new dyspnea, angina, and tachypnea who reports a localized tenderness in her right lower leg that started a few days ago should be worked up for this potential side effect of cancer and cancer treatment.
What is PE and DVT?
This is the first line of treatment for diarrhea.
What is loperamide (imodium)?
Name a non-pharmacological therapy that can help prevent peripheral neuropathy.
Cryotherapy
Cold booties and gloves applied with high-risk treatment, especially taxanes and platinum-based agents.
This chemotherapy side effect is responsible for the most dose adjustments and delays.
What is myelosuppression?
Thinking of the big picture, what concerns would you have for a patient with hand foot syndrome?
How does it impact their ADLs, do they have help at home, infection risk, pain management, treatment adherence
What is our goal for patients' LVEF?
50-65%
A patient taking regular opioids, ondansetron, and IV iron would be at higher risk for this GI side effect.
What is constipation?
Name a medication that may be prescribed or recommended for reducing peripheral neuropathy?
Gabapentin, benfotiamine, glutamine, analgesics
The priority assessment for a patient undergoing cancer therapy with WBC 2.8, Hgb 7.1, and Plt 10 should seek to rule out this adverse event.
What is BLEEDING?
Anytime Hgb and/ or Plt count is low, first priority is to rule out active bleeding of any kind.
This type of dermatitis may develop weeks to years after radiation is completed when triggered by certain chemotherapies.
What is radiation recall dermatitis?
Mild dyspnea, nonproductive cough, low-grade fever, and pleuritic chest pain are all early signs of which cancer therapy-related AE.
Pulmonary toxicity (r/t chemo/ immuno/ radiation)
Magic mouthwash, avoiding spicy foods, avoiding hot foods, and palifermin can all help reduce discomfort from this chemotherapy and RT side effect.
What is mucositis?
This chemotherapy is known for causing cold dysesthesia, an extreme sensitivity to cold.
Oxaliplatin
An active chemo/ radiation patient presenting with these symptoms should be worked up for this major concern: Chills, cough, extreme fatigue, mouth sores, and dehydration.
What is INFECTION?
Some patients cannot mount a fever in response to infection, so pay attention to other s/s as well. Mucositis and extreme fatigue could also be linked to neutropenia which would increase our risk and concern for infection.
Name 5 items you'd include in education for a patient with an uncomfortable rash.
Avoid direct sunlight (use of barriers), use gentle and unscented soap/ creams only, pat skin dry, no temperature extremes, wear loose & non-irritating clothing, report fever or infectious s/s
DOE and fluid retention
Name 3 different classes of drugs that prevent or treat nausea for our patient population.
5HT3 receptor antagonists (zofran, aloxi, kytril)
NK1 receptor antagonists (emend)
corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
benzodiazepines (ativan)
antipsychotics (compazine, olanzapine)
Patients receiving radiation to the brain should be taught to immediately report worsening headaches, vision/ hearing changes, altered mental status, and/or balance changes which could indicate this condition warranting urgent intervention.
What is encephalopathy?