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Dyspnea in Patients with Advanced Stage Cancer: A Nurses Guide to Assessment and Treatment
Lindsey Obarzanek1, Margaret L Campbell1
1College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
Objective:
To provide oncology nurses with education on the specific distressing symptom of dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer, including proper assessment and a hierarchical approach to both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic dyspnea interventions.
Data Sources:
Sources include published research findings, literature reviews, and guidelines, as well as professional opinion from practicing nurses and clinicians.
Conclusion:
Individuals with advanced cancer often experience the distressing respiratory symptom, dyspnea. Assessment tools and treatment recommendations and guidelines are available for clinicians to appropriately evaluate and treat dyspnea. Improved awareness of symptom presence and treatment options will assist nurses in advocating for their patients with advanced cancer and obtaining and delivering the necessary treatments for dyspnea relief.
Implications For Nursing:
Published evidence supports the many treatment options available for dyspnea relief at varying levels. Assessment, individualized treatment, education, and reassessment are key and ongoing to assist patients with advanced cancer to achieve respiratory comfort.
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