The child with cancer on immunosuppressive therapy. Implications for nursing

Improved therapeutic approaches to childhood cancer not only have produced remarkable extensions in survival, but also have introduced major new problems into the field of pediatric oncology nursing. Care of the patient whose normal immune responses have been suppressed by irradiation and prolonged chemotherapy is one problem. The immunosuppressed child is highly susceptible to infections, and the nurse must devise a plan of care that is designed to reduce the risks that lead to these infectious complications. Because of the stresses associated with aggressive cancer therapy the patient may experience serious emotional difficulties that require the nurse's attention. Most important, the nurse's attitude toward the childhood cancer patient must be broadened to include the concept that many of these children are possibly cured of their cancer and should be encouraged to lead normal lives.