Managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in oncology patients
Date
2009-07-15Author
Allain, Jennifer H.
Advisor(s)
Huebscher, Roxana
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) play a key role in symptom management for
cancer patients. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most
distressing symptoms experienced by cancer patients and often continues to be
uncontrolled even with the use of antiemetic medications. Advanced practice nurses
can play a role in the integration of natural alternative complementary (NAC) therapies
with conventional treatment for symptom management in cancer patients. The purpose
of this study was to answer the research questions:
1. Are APNs assessing and treating CINV?
2. Are APNs knowledgeable about NAC therapies for CINV?
3. What specific interventions are APNs using for CINV?
4. Are APNs knowledgeable about acupuncture for CINV?
This study used the theory of comfort proposed by Katharine Kolcaba as a
framework to assess the interventions nurse practitioners are using to ensure comfort in
oncology patients. For nursing, the theory presents a holistic approach to symptom
management.
The researcher used a descriptive design. The researcher used a convenience
sample of 108 APNs in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Data were collected through a
questionnaire asking about the preferred interventions for CINV, including acupuncture.
The APNs? reasons for using the pharmacological and NAC therapy interventions were
also explored.
Participants were asked about their interest in acupuncture as an alternative
method for managing CINV. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and
narrative analysis.
Subject
Oncology Nursing
Chemotherapy
Holistic Nursing Methods
Vomiting
Chemotherapy
Nausea
Complications in Cancer Treatment
Cancer Patients
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/35500Description
A Clinical Paper Submitted
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
Master of Science in Nursing -
Adult Health and Illness
-- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2009