Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
05:56

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Published on: June 21, 2024

Nausea, pain, fatigue, and multiple symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer

Elizabeth Miller1, Eufemia Jacob, Marilyn J Hockenberry

  • 1Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, California, USA.

Oncology Nursing Forum
|August 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Nausea, pain, and fatigue are common in hospitalized children with cancer. These symptoms significantly impact their overall distress, highlighting a need for better symptom management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Symptom Management
  • Childhood Cancer

Background:

  • Hospitalized children with cancer experience a multitude of symptoms.
  • Understanding the prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress of these symptoms is crucial for effective care.
  • Nausea, pain, and fatigue are frequently reported symptoms in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress of multiple symptoms in hospitalized children with cancer.
  • To examine the impact of nausea, pain, and fatigue on overall symptom scores and global distress.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive design with repeated measures was employed.
  • Data were collected over five days from 39 pediatric inpatients (ages 10-17) using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) Pediatric 10-18.
  • The study assessed 31 distinct symptoms.

Main Results:

  • The most prevalent symptoms included nausea, fatigue, decreased appetite, pain, and drowsiness (prevalence > 34%).
  • The presence of nausea, pain, and fatigue significantly impacted overall symptom experience and global distress (p < 0.001).
  • While pain and fatigue prevalence decreased over the study period (p < 0.05), nausea prevalence did not (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Nausea, pain, and fatigue are highly prevalent in hospitalized children with cancer, significantly contributing to their total symptom burden and distress.
  • The study underscores that the most common symptoms are not always the most severe or distressing.
  • There is a critical need for further research into effective interventions for symptom management, particularly for nausea and its associated symptoms.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:29

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
Pyloric Obstruction01:11

Pyloric Obstruction

Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...