Treatment-related symptom clusters.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a clinical overview of treatment-related symptom clusters.


METHODS
Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, and clinical practice experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Although understanding the etiology and interaction of symptoms may lead to targeted interventions, the nurse must often manage symptoms in which the cause or causes cannot be changed or in which there are multiple overlapping etiologies that lead to complex and challenging clinical presentations. Systematic and ongoing evaluation of symptoms, their treatment-related trajectory, and their response to interventions is essential.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic assessment of symptoms and symptom cluster presence, severity, and distress can guide the practitioner to intervene using evidence-based practice. Individualized care and evaluation of response is needed.
Honea
Norissa
N
AOS Foundation, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. Norissa@azoncology.com
Brant
Jeannine
J
Beck
Susan L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents