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Discussion

Advice on chemo teaching points

Hi fellow onc nurses! I've been working in outpatient chemo infusion for about a year now but I admit I still get nervous every time I get a new patient! I just can't seem to get my chemo teaching spiel down. Any advice? What are your main teaching points? Sometimes I struggle because I don't want to overwhelm them by giving too much information, especially patients who are super anxious. But then I always worry that I've left something out. I print out the chemo pamphlets on each drug and review them and as far as general teaching i always cover infection prevention (hand washing, no raw fish/meet, wash fresh fruits and veggies, avoid sick people, etc; also...what do you tell them when the ask if they should wear a mask in public?), bleeding precautions, importance of hydration and nutrition, control of side effects (diarrhea, constipation, neuropathy, etc). I also usually tell them that the steroid may keep them up and cause blood sugar spikes if they're diabetic.

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks so much!!

Featured Replies

Agree with your teaching points and I include others:

For the pt with anemia:

1. Frequent rest periods

2. No strenuous activities

3. Pace themselves

For the pt with Neutropenia:

1. Stay away, if possible, from kids (as they are a bag of germs-lol)

2. Good handwashing

3. Avoid pooper-scooping, cleaning fish tanks, cleaning kitty-litter boxes

4. Avoid crowds

5. Avoid construction areas so as to avoid dealy spore release

6. Avoid contact with people who have been recently vaccinated with a live vaccine especially in the previous 30 days

For the pt with thrombocytopenia:

1. Have an appropriate bowel regimen to avoid straining with defecation

2. Use only a soft toothbrush

3. Electric, not hand held disposable razors

4. Avoid picking nose - they laugh at that one

5. Avoid forceful nose blowing

6. Avoid lifting heavy objects

  • Author

Awesome points, thank you!

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