Cancer patients with oral mucositis: challenges for nursing care

Authors

  • Sarah Nilkece Mesquita Araújo Universidade Federal do Piauí; Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Maria Helena Barros Araújo Luz Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Grazielle Roberta Freitas da Silva Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Elaine Maria Leite Rangel Andrade Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Lívio César Cunha Nunes Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Renata Oliveira Moura Universidade Federal do Piauí

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.0090.2551

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to analyze nursing care provided to cancer patients with oral mucositis based on the Nursing Process (NP). METHOD: this exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted with 213 patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in two cancer facilities: one philanthropic and one private service. RESULTS: the participants were mainly female, aged 45.8 years old on average, with up to 11 years of schooling and income of up to one times the minimum wage. Severe mucositis was related to chemotherapy associated with radiotherapy. Only 25.3% of the patients reported having received guidance from nurses during their treatment concerning self-care. The perceptions of patients regarding quality of care did not significantly differ between the private and public facilities. The basic human needs mainly affected were comfort, eating, and hygiene. Based on this finding, one NP was established listing the diagnoses, interventions and expected results to establish an ideal, though individualized, standard of nursing care to be provided to these patients. CONCLUSION: to understand oral mucositis is crucial to establish nursing care that includes prevention based on the implementation of an oral care plan.

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Published

2015-04-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Original Articles

License

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Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Cancer patients with oral mucositis: challenges for nursing care . (2015). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 23(2), 267-274. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.0090.2551