Oncologic emergencies: implications for nurses

Oncologic emergencies can be grouped into the following categories: neurologic, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, hematologic, infectious, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and infusion-related. Each crisis produces characteristic symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory abnormalities. Skills required of nurses include patient assessment by organ system, management of intravenous lines, monitoring of laboratory results, and recognition of allergic reactions and extravasation. Anticipating these clinical syndromes allows for prevention or early detection with better outcomes.