Immunotherapy and neuropsychiatric toxicity. Nursing clinical management consideration

Ensuring the safety of patients who receive immunotherapy is an essential element of nursing care. Communicating changes in mental status to the medical team is important feedback for modifying or discontinuing the cycle of immunotherapy. These observations are even more crucial if neuropsychiatric toxicity (NPT) has been exhibited in a previous cycle of treatment. If nurses are aware of associative factors of NPT they can be more alert for emerging cognitive dysfunction. Early intervention will also mean the nurse will take additional measures to ensure patient safety, such as suggesting possible pharmacological alternatives and closer observation, and encouraging family members to help with orientation. The nurse can further assist by helping alleviate the patient's or family's feelings of helplessness by assuring them that the NPT will begin to subside once treatment has been terminated.