Symptom management: loss of concentration.
OBJECTIVE
To review the loss of the ability to concentrate in individuals with cancer, the risk factors, and nursing approaches to support and improve attentional functioning.


METHODS
Published articles and books pertaining to concentration, central nervous system toxicity, attentional fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple factors related to cancer, its treatment, and the demands of a life-threatening illness increase the risk for loss of concentration and attentional fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can assess potential loss of concentration by observation and objective and subjective measures. Attention can be conserved by reducing environmental demands and applying attention-restoring strategies.
Cimprich
B
B
School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0482, USA.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support