title: Tools for assessing nausea, vomiting, and retching.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, and retching are recognized as having an impact on patients' overall physical well-being, quality of life, and treatment decisions. Although there are many tools available to measure aspects of these symptoms, few offer a complete and concise clinical assessment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive overview of the various instruments available for the assessment of cancer-related nausea, vomiting, and retching. Analysis included symptoms measured, period evaluated, type of questions posed, and aspects of each symptom measured.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were conducted to find relevant articles using nationally recognized oncology Web sites and 4 electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE/CINAHL and CINAHL/EBSCO, and Cochrane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review includes a total of 25 instruments that were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria of having been developed, or adapted, for the adult population, with an oncology focus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ideal instrument would include measurement of all 3 symptoms while remaining clear, concise, and clinically relevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although only 1 instrument came close to meeting these criteria, this review provides nurses with specific information on a variety of instruments to assist providers in selecting the most appropriate instrument for their specific clinical setting. This comprehensive critique of instruments is important for nurses attempting to select a tool to guide optimum care for patients in the clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA. jwood@nebraskamed.com
authors.forename: Janelle M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eilers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents