Symptom clusters in advanced illness.
OBJECTIVE
To review the four sets of symptom clusters commonly seen in patients with advanced illness, and their definitions, associated symptomatology, and management.


METHODS
Research and review articles and textbooks.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms of patients with advanced illness tend to occur not isolation, but in symptom clusters. The ability to cluster symptoms in both assessment and management reduces the use of polypharmacy, systemic toxicities, and improves the patient's quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important that the nurse providing symptom management for the oncology patient understand the importance of clustering certain symptoms together.
Esper
Peg
P
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, USA. pesper@umich.edu
Heidrich
Debra
D
D000855:Anorexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003693:Delirium / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009736:Nursing Process; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control