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The nurse's role in diarrhea management
1Pain and Symptom Management Service, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA.
Purpose/Objectives:
To discuss the causes, clinical manifestations, and consequences of diarrhea in the patient with cancer; to describe the oncology nurse's role in the assessment, management, and treatment of cancer-related diarrhea.
Data Sources:
Synthesis of published peer-reviewed data, professional experience.
Data Synthesis:
The many causes of cancer-related diarrhea include specific types of cancer and specific anticancer treatment regimens (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy). Poorly controlled diarrhea may result in a range of physiologic and psychological effects that extend beyond the patient to significant others and caregivers. Comprehensive assessment of diarrhea is the foundation for the appropriate use of pharmacologic and supportive therapies.
Conclusions:
Diarrhea, much like fatigue, is a symptom that only recently has become a focus of oncology nursing research and focused intervention.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Oncology nurses can significantly influence the quality of care given to patients who develop diarrhea as a symptom of cancer or as a sequela of cancer therapy. As such, oncology nurses are challenged to maintain current knowledge of the causes and available treatment strategies for cancer-related diarrhea. Nurses need to rely on their experiential skill and a working knowledge of published research to identify patients at risk. They also must communicate effectively with patients and caregivers in every practice setting about the nature of diarrhea and its causes, as well as develop appropriate interventions for each individual.