Pharmacology review: the role of ondansetron in the management of children's nausea and vomiting following posterior fossa neurosurgical procedures.
The management of nausea and vomiting is fundamental to the post-operative nursing care of children. Children who have neurosurgical procedures, especially those that involve the posterior fossa, are likely to experience nausea and vomiting in the post-operative period. The proximity of brainstem emetic centres to the surgical site compounds the usual post-operative risk factors for nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron is discussed as an agent that may be more effective than the traditionally-used antiemetics, such as dimenhydrinate and metoclopramide, in this population. Nurses must advocate for effective therapeutic measures to manage children's post-operative nausea and vomiting. Advocacy requires knowledge of high-risk groups, accurate assessment, timely intervention, and thorough evaluation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures.
Neufeld
Susan
S
Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. sneufeld@cha.ab.ca
D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000601:surgery*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*
D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron