Management of chemotherapy-related symptoms in children and adolescents: family caregivers’ perspectives

• Autor(a) principal: Silva-Rodrigues,Fernanda Machado
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: de Lucca,Milena, Leite,Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi, Alvarenga,Willyane de Andrade, Nunes,Michele Darezzo Rodrigues, Nascimento,Lucila Castanheira
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0080-62342021000100511
• topic: Neoplasms; Drug Therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Caregivers; Pediatric Nursing

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the chemotherapy-associated symptoms and the strategies used for their management from the perspective of pediatric cancer patients’ family caregivers. Methods: This is a descriptive study with qualitative data analysis. Data collection took place in a pediatric hospital, from December 2017 to December 2018, with family caregivers of pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy. Semi-structured interviews, subjected to inductive content analysis, were carried out. Concepts from the Symptom Management Theory were used to discuss the results. Results: Eighteen family caregivers participated. The participants mentioned: physical symptoms, especially weakness, alopecia, low immunity, pain, mucositis, constipation, nausea, and vomiting; emotional or psychosocial symptoms such as sadness and mood changes; and constitutional symptoms such as loss of appetite and fever. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures were mentioned in the management of symptoms and adverse effects. Conclusion: Participants demonstrated skills to identify and manage symptoms of chemotherapy. Knowing the experience of these families can help nurses in planning care and interventions to minimize these events.