Chemotherapy - Nursing Care

• Chemotherapy affects both cancer cells and normal cells.
• WBC levels should be normal before chemotherapy will be administered.
• Rapidly - dividing cells are destroyed by chemotherapy.
• Chemo is usually indicated if the metastasis are already widespread and undetectable (Stage 3 or 4)
• S/E: Nausea and Vomiting

  N/I: Antiemetic (e.g. Zofran/ Ondansetron)
• S/E: Alopecia

  N/I: Wig or head scarf
• S/E: Alopecia

  Health Teaching: Reassure patient, hair will grow back ater chemotherapy, but it will have different color and texture
• S/E: Anemia

  N/I: Frequent Rest Periods
• S/E: Neutropenia

  N/I: Infection precautions
• S/E: Thrombocytopenia

  N/I: Bleeding precautions
• S/E: Stomatitis

  N/I: Warm Saline Rinses
• Plicamycin (Mithracin)

  A/E: Hemorrage

  • N/I: AVOID blood thinners
• Thrombocytopenia

  Apply pressure at injection sites for 5 minutes
• Tamoxifen 

  • indicated for breast cancer among postmenopausal women who are ER positive