Advice on chemo teaching points

[babydeern]

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!!

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

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

[babydeern]

Awesome points, thank you!