Nurses’ Ability to Assess and Manage Symptoms of Patients with Advanced Cancer
Keywords:
Advanced cancer, nurses’ ability, symptoms assessment, symptoms managementAbstract
This correlational descriptive research aimed to study nurses’ perceived ability to assess
and manage symptoms in advanced cancer patients and to examine the relationship between
knowledge and practice abilities in symptom assessment and management. The sample consisted
of 85 professional nurses who cared for hospitalized cancer patients in Chulabhorn Hospital.
Personal data record forms and nurses’ perceived ability to assess and manage symptoms in
advanced cancer patient questionnaires were used in data collection. Data were analysed using
descriptive statistics and Spearman Rank Correlation.
The results demonstrated that nurses perceived their overall abilities, knowledge and
practice abilities to assess and manage symptoms of advanced cancer patients at moderate levels.
The mean scores of overall abilities to assess and manage symptoms were highest in pain, constipation,
and nausea/vomiting. Knowledge and practice abilities mean scores were highest in assessment
and management of pain, constipation and anxiety. The lowest mean scores of nurses’ abilities were
found in assessment and management of dry mouth, fatigue and anorexia. Finally, knowledge and
practice abilities had signifcant positive relationships at moderate and high levels (p < .05). The
research results recommend the development of nurses’ abilities in symptom assessment and
management, provision of instruments for symptom assessment, and practice guidelines for assessment
and management of the common symptoms among patients with advanced cancer.
References
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https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/ symptom-management
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assessment. Retrieved from
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management
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https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-managementCancer Care Cancer Care
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assessment, and management of cancer-related fatigue in Adults. Retrieved from
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management
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cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management
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chemotherapy side effects: expectations, doctor-patient communication and
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cancer patients undergoingchemotherapy and radiation therapy. Indian Journal
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Preechakoon, B., Pakdevong, N., Kongwattanakul, S., Thanthong, S., Lerdpanit, P., & Hanprasitkam, K. (2019). Symptom experience and symptom management of patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers. Apheit Journal of Nursing and Health, 1(1), 50-66. [in Thai]
Qadire, M. A., & Alkhalaileh, M. (2018). Jordanian oncology nurses' knowledge of
managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. British Journal of
Nursing, 27(10), S4-S12.
Rungjang, S., & Namjuntra, R. (2016). Symptom management in patients with
advanced lung cancer. Thai Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Nursing, 27(2), 43-57.
[in Thai]
Sorifa, B., & Mosphea, K. (2015). Knowledge and practice of staff nurses on palliative
care. International Journal of Health Research and Medico Legal Practice, 01(02), 41-45.
Sricharoen, J., & Chaiprasitti, S. (2018). Xerostomia: Subjective meanings and self care
experiences in the perspective of patients. The Chiang Mai Dental Journal, 39(3),
117-132. [in Thai]
Taweeyanyongkul, N., Chaiviboontham, S., & Sumdaengrit, B. (2015). Symptom
experiences and symptom management in patients with advanced cancer
receiving palliative care. Ramathibodi Nursing Journal, 21(1), 82-95. [in Thai]
Thanthong, S., Namvongprom, A. & Pakdevong, N. (2016). Symptoms experience and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer receiving radiation therapy. Apheit Humanities and Social Sciences Journal, 5(1), 40-47. [in Thai]
Veen, M. R., Hoedies, M., Versteegen, J. J., Meulengraaf-Wilhwlm, N. V., Kampman, E.,
& Beijer, S. (2017). Improving oncology nurses’ knowledge about nutrition and
physical activity for cancer survivors. Oncology Nurse Forum, 44 (4), 488-496.
Veerahpong, N. (2015). The role of nurse for promoting nutrition in cancer patients.
The Thai Red Cross College of Nursing Journal, 8(1). 34-42. [in Thai]
fatigue management in colorectal cancer. Clinical Colorectal Cancer, 1(1),1-11.
American Cancer Society. (2018). Advanced cancer. Retrieved from
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced
cancer/what-is.html
Bloom, B.S., Hasting,J.T., & Madaus, G. F. (1971). Handbook on Formative and Summative
Evaluation of Student Learning. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Bouya, S., Balouchi, A., Maleknejad, A., Koochakzai, M., AlKhasawneh, E., &
Abdollahimohammad, A. (2018). Cancer pain management among oncology
nurses: knowledge, attitude, related factors, and clinical recommendations: a
systematic review. Journal of Cancer Education, 34, 839–846.
British Columbia Cancer Agency. (2018). Symptom management guidelines. Retrieved
from http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-professionals/clinical
resources/nursing/symptom-management
Cancer Care Ontario. (2010a). Symptom management algorithm pain in adults with
cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/
symptom-management
Cancer Care Ontario. (2010a). Algorithm nausea and vomiting in adults with cancer:
screening and assessment. Retrieved from
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/ symptom-management
Cancer Care Ontario. (2010b). Algorithm dyspnea in adults with cancer: screening and
assessment. Retrieved from
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management
Cancer Care Ontario. (2012). Algorithm Loss of Appetite in adults with aancer:
Screening and assessment. Retrieved from
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-managementCancer Care Cancer Care
Cancer Care Ontario. (2015a). Pan canadian practice guideline for screening,
assessment, and management of cancer-related fatigue in Adults. Retrieved from
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management
Cancer Care Ontario. (2015b). Screening and assessment – anxiety in adults with
cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management
Lerdpanit, P., Pakdevong, N., & Namvongprom, A., (2019). Symptom experiences and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer receiving chemotherapy. Apheit Humanities and Social Sciences Journal, 6(1), 45-55. [in Thai]
Liu, Y., Zhang, P. Y., Na, J., Ma, C., Huo, W, L., Han, L., . . . Xi, Q. S. (2013). Prevalence,
intensity, and prognostic significance of common symptoms in terminally ill
cancer patients. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 16 (7), 752-757.
Lorusso, D., Costantini, A., Bria, E., & Maio, M., (2016). Patients’ perception of
chemotherapy side effects: expectations, doctor-patient communication and
impact on quality of life - An Italian survey. European Journal of Cancer Care,
26(2). DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12618
Makmai, S., Sirichayanugul, C., & Sirichayanugul, T. (2013). Common symptoms and
needs of pre-discharge advanced-stage cancer patients: A case-study at phrae
hospital, thailand. Thai Cancer Journal, 33 (4), 132-145. [in Thai]
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2017). Palliative care clinical practice
guideline. Retrieved from
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/palliative.pdf
Oncology Nursing Society. (2016). Oncology nurse generalist competencies.
Retrieved May 20, 2018, from
https://www.ons.org/sites/default/files/OncologyNurseCompetencies
Pai, R. R., & Ongole, R. (2015). Nurses’ Knowledge and education about oral care of
cancer patients undergoingchemotherapy and radiation therapy. Indian Journal
of Palliative care, 12(2), 225-230.
Pearson, E. J. M., Morris. M. E., & Mckinstry. C., (2015). Cancer-related fatigue: a survey
of health practitioner knowledge and practice. Support Care Cancer. 23(12).
DOI 10.1007/s00520-015-2723-8
Pehlivan, T., & Kuçuk, L. (2016). Skills of oncology nurses in diagnosing the
psychosocial needs of the patients. International Journal of Caring Sciences,
9(2), 658-667.
Preechakoon, B., Pakdevong, N., Kongwattanakul, S., Thanthong, S., Lerdpanit, P., & Hanprasitkam, K. (2019). Symptom experience and symptom management of patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers. Apheit Journal of Nursing and Health, 1(1), 50-66. [in Thai]
Qadire, M. A., & Alkhalaileh, M. (2018). Jordanian oncology nurses' knowledge of
managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. British Journal of
Nursing, 27(10), S4-S12.
Rungjang, S., & Namjuntra, R. (2016). Symptom management in patients with
advanced lung cancer. Thai Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Nursing, 27(2), 43-57.
[in Thai]
Sorifa, B., & Mosphea, K. (2015). Knowledge and practice of staff nurses on palliative
care. International Journal of Health Research and Medico Legal Practice, 01(02), 41-45.
Sricharoen, J., & Chaiprasitti, S. (2018). Xerostomia: Subjective meanings and self care
experiences in the perspective of patients. The Chiang Mai Dental Journal, 39(3),
117-132. [in Thai]
Taweeyanyongkul, N., Chaiviboontham, S., & Sumdaengrit, B. (2015). Symptom
experiences and symptom management in patients with advanced cancer
receiving palliative care. Ramathibodi Nursing Journal, 21(1), 82-95. [in Thai]
Thanthong, S., Namvongprom, A. & Pakdevong, N. (2016). Symptoms experience and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer receiving radiation therapy. Apheit Humanities and Social Sciences Journal, 5(1), 40-47. [in Thai]
Veen, M. R., Hoedies, M., Versteegen, J. J., Meulengraaf-Wilhwlm, N. V., Kampman, E.,
& Beijer, S. (2017). Improving oncology nurses’ knowledge about nutrition and
physical activity for cancer survivors. Oncology Nurse Forum, 44 (4), 488-496.
Veerahpong, N. (2015). The role of nurse for promoting nutrition in cancer patients.
The Thai Red Cross College of Nursing Journal, 8(1). 34-42. [in Thai]
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Published
2021-03-29
How to Cite
Juejan, S. ., Namjuntra, R. ., & Namvongprom, A. . (2021). Nurses’ Ability to Assess and Manage Symptoms of Patients with Advanced Cancer. The Journal of Faculty of Nursing Burapha University, 29(1), 25–36. retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/Nubuu/article/view/250237
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