Development of a protocol to prevent opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer: a research utilization project.
Opioids are the major class of analgesics used in the management of moderate to severe cancer pain, and constipation is a common side effect of opioid administration. While monitoring for quality-assurance, nurses found that 95% of patients interviewed on a 28-bed oncology unit of a Midwestern hospital reported constipation as the major side effect of their opioid regimen for pain control. Through the efforts of a nursing research utilization committee, a protocol to prevent opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer was developed and implemented.
Robinson
C B
CB
Fritch
M
M
Hullett
L
L
Petersen
M A
MA
Sikkema
S
S
Theuninck
L
L
Timmer
K
K
D000465:Algorithms; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid