Promoting symptom control in palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
To describe management of common physical problems that occur in patients with advanced cancer.


METHODS
Research and review articles, book chapters, and published guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective symptom control for patients with advanced cancer requires the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team. Excellent palliation can be achieved in patients suffering from pain, as well as from gastrointestinal, respiratory, or dermatologic disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing is the cornerstone of effective palliative care. Through accurate assessments and expertise in delivering pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments, nurses ensure optimal palliation of physical symptoms.
Abrahm
J L
JL
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal