Self-care strategies to cope with taste changes after chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe factors related to taste changes, to examine patients' use of a self-care suggestion sheet to manage taste changes associated with chemotherapy, and to identify potentially useful strategies for managing specific taste changes after chemotherapy.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental, pre/post design.


METHODS
Four outpatient urban and suburban oncology centers in Illinois.


METHODS
42 patients who had received at least two cycles of chemotherapy previously identified to be associated with taste changes.


METHODS
Pre- and postintervention survey of taste changes; patient education regarding self-care for taste changes.


METHODS
Taste changes, taste change strategies, and self-care.


RESULTS
Most patients that reported taste changes had affected their ability to eat. Taste changes and strategies varied somewhat according to chemotherapy regimen. Avoiding strong-smelling or -tasting foods, eating blander foods, drinking more water with foods, oral care before eating, and eating smaller, more frequent meals were reported to help.


CONCLUSIONS
Taste changes are common in patients receiving cisplatin, carboplatin, or cyclophosphamide. At-risk patients may benefit from prechemotherapy teaching regarding specific taste change management suggestions. Use of a taste change suggestion sheet encouraged self-care, and counseling patients regarding strategies to deal with taste changes may help them during chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should incorporate patient education tools that promote self-care regarding the management of taste changes in patients with known factors that could affect taste early in their chemotherapy.
Rehwaldt
Maureen
M
Midwest Palliative and Hospice Carecenter, Glenview, IL, USA. m.rehwaldt@comcast.net
Wickham
Rita
R
Purl
Sandy
S
Tariman
Joseph
J
Blendowski
Carol
C
Shott
Susan
S
Lappe
Mary
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents