Nursing assessment and patient management.
OBJECTIVE
To review contemporary knowledge and recent research in the nursing assessment and management of patients receiving radiation therapy.


METHODS
Published scientific papers, review articles, book chapters, and clinical practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the enormous advances in treatment technology, dose-limiting acute and late effects of radiation therapy have not been eliminated. Astute assessment and early interventions can have a positive impact on the quality of life of the patient receiving radiation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses need to be well-informed about treatment advances and be able to integrate research findings into clinical practice. The increased use of concurrent or sequential combined modality therapy requires nurses to broaden their skills of assessment and management.
Kelly
L D
LD
Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011788:Quality of Life; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology