Information color coding
Exam 1—pink Exam 2—blue Exam 3—purple Exam 4—peach
Know and understand about the complications of chemotherapy
Cognitive function=support and provide resources for cognitive training. Let
them know other patients report it too. Warn against: excessive alcohol or
drug use, head injury risks
Mucositis=oral cryotherapy (rest of interventions listed below)
Fatigue=space out and prioritize care
Alopecia=teach how to avoid scalp injury; coordinate wig purchases for
patient based on income and lifestyle
N/v=give antiemetic’s BEFORE hand, during, and after. Keep on a schedule and
educate patient to take them even when they feel okay.
o Peppermint or ginger for relief
Know thrombocytopenia and what precautions are necessary
Impaired clotting/bleeding; may require transfusion therapy
o Precautions: ensure a safe environment for the patient and have
bleeding precautions in place
-electric razor, soft bristled toothbrush, don’t blow nose,
no IM injections if possible, etc.…
Know about internal /external radiation / brachytherapy
Precautions for each
Internal/brachytherapy
o The patient is a hazard
Unsealed: enter body fluids and eliminated in waste products,
making the waste radioactive
Solid implants are in one place, the patient emits radiation but
excreta is not radioactive.
Precautions: wear dosimeter badge, keep front of lead
apron facing patient, no pregnant women or children
under 16, visitors must stay 6 ft. away and limit visits to
30 min/day, never touch radioactive source with bare
hands (use forceps), and save all dressings, bed linens
until the radioactive source is removed; then dispose as
usual.
External/teletherapy
, o Radiation delivered from a source outside of the patient. The source is
external; therefore, the patient is not radioactive, and there is no
hazard to others.
Know basic labs such as CBC & Electrolytes, Pt, INR, and PTT
CBC
o Hemoglobin: 13-17
o Hematocrit: 35%-48%
Electrolytes
o K+: 3.5-5
o Na: 135-145
o Mag: 1.5-2.5
o Cal: 9-11
o Phosphorus: 2.5-4.5
Clotting
o Pt: 11-13.5 seconds
o INR: 0.8-1.1
o PTT: 25-35 seconds
Know how to treat low hemoglobin
Blood transfusion
Know the drugs to treat low hemoglobin and platelets when getting chemo
Hgb: Epoetin alfa—can prevent or improve anemia and reduce the need for
transfusions
Platelets: Oprelvekin (neumega)—increases platelet production by
stimulating bone marrow (biologic response modifier)
Know what mucositis is and how to treat during chemo and after chemo
Mouth sores caused by chemo
o Tx—oral cryotherapy using ice chips before, during, or after rapid
infusions of agents (vasoconstriction)
Sodium bi-carb rinses, frequent oral assessments and hygiene
Soft bristled toothbrush, gentle flossing, saline rinse
IV injections of Palifermin—stimulates growth of
mucous membranes in the mouth
Know your burns
Phases
o Resuscitation—onset24/48 hours
, o Acute—36/48 hours after—wound closure
o Rehabilitation—wound closurehighest functioning
BSA % ------Rule of 9’s
How to differentiate each thickness
Superficial=leaves a good blood supply, pink and moist; blanches;
painful
Partial thickness=blisters occur
Full thickness=eschar; not as painful
How to treat burns
Monitor airway—assess by looking for drooling, trouble handling
secretions, brassy cough, wheezing, or diminished breath sounds
Assess fluid resuscitation—urine output 30 mL/hr.
Assess for hypovolemic shock—monitor degree of edema and cardiac
status
Assess for fluid shift hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
Give fluids—LR
Monitor electrolytes
Prevent infection (hand hygiene and standard precautions)
Drug management—morphine
Prevent gastric ulcers (curling’s)—H2 blockers, PPI’s (pantoprazole)
Complications
Infection