The adult leukemia patient in the intensive care unit.
Care of the patient with leukemia in the critical care setting is a demanding job. Nurses must be involved in the treatment of infection, hemorrhage, and respiratory failure, problems with which they are familiar. In addition to these complications, however, they must also gain expertise in hematology, cancer chemotherapy, and the leukemic process. The task is not an easy one but this article has attempted to cover the basic knowledge about the disease, its treatment, and major complications. It is hoped that this information will allow the critical care nurse to function more confidently when caring for the adult patient with leukemia.
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications