title: Managing treatment-induced emesis: a nursing perspective.
abstract: Patients with cancer undergoing treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy may experience a range of treatment-related side effects. One of the most common and most distressing side effects is treatment-induced emesis. The severity of the symptom is great enough to cause some patients to refuse treatments, delay appointments or discontinue therapy entirely. Experiencing treatment-induced nausea and vomiting can create a spectrum of issues for patients and their families and seriously influence their quality of life. Managing nausea and vomiting induced by cancer therapy is of critical importance. A team approach, inclusive of the patient, can be most effective. Nurses play a pivotal role in assessing patterns of nausea and vomiting and the usefulness of anti-emetic therapy, evaluating and updating treatment/care plans and helping the patient and family to cope with the disease and its treatment.
authors.affiliation: Toronto-Bayview Regional Cancer Centre, Canada.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Fitch
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents