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Acral erythema during bone marrow transplantation: a case study.
Oncology Nursing Forum
|November 1, 1989
Summary
High-dose cytosine arabinoside can cause painful hand and foot redness and blistering, known as acral erythema. This study details nursing challenges and interventions for managing this chemotherapy side effect.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
- Nursing Care
Background:
- High-dose chemotherapy, including cytosine arabinoside, is used in bone marrow transplantation.
- Acral erythema is a known side effect of certain chemotherapy regimens.
- Previous literature reported lower incidence rates of acral erythema.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the incidence of acral erythema in patients receiving high-dose cytosine arabinoside before bone marrow transplant.
- To identify nursing problems associated with acral erythema.
- To describe nursing interventions for managing acral erythema.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 13 patients undergoing bone marrow transplant preparation.
- High-dose cytosine arabinoside administration.
- Documentation of patient-reported symptoms and nursing observations.
Main Results:
- Six out of 13 patients (46%) developed acral erythema.
- Symptoms included painful redness and blistering of hands and feet.
- Observed nursing problems included pain, impaired self-care, reduced activity, and infection risk.
Conclusions:
- High-dose cytosine arabinoside is associated with a significant incidence of acral erythema.
- Acral erythema presents substantial nursing challenges requiring specific management strategies.
- Effective nursing interventions are crucial for patient comfort and safety during chemotherapy.