Cancer Symptom Management

This guide for clinical oncology nurses focuses on the most common problems facing cancer patients, including symptom distress, signs of discomfort, nutritional problems, disturbances of protective mechanisms, neurological disturbances, fluid and electrolyte disbalance, difficulties with elimination, and emotional problems. It describes how these affect the patient's quality of life and identifies specific ways nurses can help relieve the patient's suffering. Each chapter offers assessment tools, such as nursing care plans and algorithms. Reproducible patient guides are also included. The contributors are nurses and other healthcare professionals. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).