부산대학교 도서관

Oncology nurses are integral to patient assessment. Patient self-assessment tools can assist in this process. Accurate assessment of fatigue, hemaglobin, and sexuality is the first step in developing education and treatment plans that can positively impact a patient's quality of life for those patients who are symptomatic in these areas. We assessed fatigue, anemia, and sexual dysfunction experienced by our patients, and their possible relationship, to help develop tools for educating our patients, and managing those symptoms. In the AIM Higher Initiative, cancer patients are asked to report chemotherapy-related symptoms including fatigue and sexual dysfunction utilizing the Patient Care Monitor (PCM) that grades the severity of each on a 1-10 scale (0-3 = mild, 4-6 = moderate, 7-10 = severe.) We performed a retrospective chart review of 50 breast cancer patients receiving cancer treatment, participating in the AIM Higher Initiative who reported high levels of sexual dysfunction. We examined the relationship between hemoglobin, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. We developed tools for our practices to help address these issues. Literature review indicates that sexual dysfunction is an underreport-ed and under-treated side effect of cancer and/or its treatment. Also, while fatigue is a component of sexual dysfunction it is not always attributable to anemia. In the chart review, the patients (30-90 years old) had mean hemaglobin of 12.5 g/dl (range=10.5-17). Treatment consisted of chemotherapy (20%) and /or hormonal therapy (50%). Patients' mean PCM scores corresponded to severe sexual dysfunction 7.7 (range = 4-10) and moderate fatigue 4.3 (range = 0-5), even though patients had mild or no anemia, suggesting that these symptoms are not caused by anemia. We developed standardized tools and identified interventions to help oncology nurses help their patients. While sexual dysfunction and fatigue did not correspond with anemia in this small group of patients, we found that the tools developed helped us to provide better care for our patients by educating them and identifying from their perspective when intervention was needed. Our findings indicate further investigation on sexual dysfunction in cancer patients is warranted, especially since this symptom may contribute significantly to a patient's quality of life while dealing with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]