Introduction
Those patients with cancer who undergo chemotherapy suffer from unpleasant consequences in the form of nausea and vomiting quite often. The purpose of this review is to find out and justify whether such nursing interventions as acupressure, counseling, and proper nutrition are necessary. Moreover, the study aims to determine if the condition of patients receiving such treatment differs from those who do not have proper care during the period of chemotherapy. Five sources relevant to this topic and used in the process of writing the work are the basis of the review. The compliance or contradiction to the PICOT of the literature used will help to make a conclusion regarding the relevance and appropriateness of these sources.
Comparison of Research Questions
When comparing the works according to the specifics of research questions, it is possible to say that the articles by Farrell, Brearley, Pilling, and Molassiotis (2013) and Hilarius et al. (2012) have similar goals. Both the papers deal with the impact of chemotherapy effects on patients’ bodies, and on their physical and psychological state. The objectives of these articles are almost identical: to determine the possible impact of therapeutic procedures during cancer treatment and describe their consequences. Besides, the second article also examines the features of antiemetics and their effects on patients’ health.
In the article written by Jordan, Jahn, and Aapro (2015), the research question is aimed directly at determining the nature of the impact of antiemetics and the relationship between their reception and the state of patients. The goal here is to study medical experience in this field over the past seven years. The work of Kamen et al. (2014) also has to do with the study of the characteristics of cancer patients’ condition; however, the authors focus on the examining and description of possible mechanisms of nursing intervention to improve the physical and psychological state of patients.
The article by Marx et al. (2013) is entirely aimed at studying the properties of ginger as one of the components that may be useful in treating cancer and preventing possible unpleasant consequences like vomiting and nausea. Regarding medical orientation, this work has the least relation to medicine and may be observed as a nutritional recommendation, rather than as a scientific medical manual.
Comparison of Sample Populations
What concerns the sample populations, the works by Farrell et al. (2013) and Hilarius et al. (2012) are related directly to the experience of particular people, and all the results of these qualitative studies are based on the information from patients receiving chemotherapy. In quantitative studies by Jordan et al. (2015), Kamen et al. (2014), and Marx et al. (2013), the information borrowed from other sources is provided, as well as the data obtained from the studies of related literature and reviews.
As for the relevance of the sources, the first two papers are the most suitable for the topic under study since it is in them where the experience of patients is presented. The information described in other works carries statistical data that summarizes but does not bear such significance and can hardly be regarded as the primary source of the analysis conducted.
Comparison of the Limitations of the Study
According to Farrell et al. (2013), their research showed the percentage of those patients who experienced nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy sessions. In the article by Hilarius et al. (2012), the study process was somewhat different: the patients were examined after each of the treatment sessions of cancer treatment, and the data were calculated using the Functioning Living Index-Emesis tool. Furthermore, the work was not limited to summing up the results as all the information received was recorded in proper nursing logs.
The work by Jordan et al. (2015) was aimed at determining an optimal strategy for treating the symptoms of receiving chemotherapy and identifying the best combination of the drugs that can reduce discomfort. The authors compared the data of other articles and drew particular conclusions on their basis. Kamen et al. (2014) also tried to evaluate and compile the information received from various sources.
The basis of their research was the analysis of the impact of chemotherapy effects on the psychological state of patients. Besides, the plan for possible treatment and the most effective therapies were developed. Marx et al. (2013) sought to identify the actual properties of ginger and proved that this plant had a beneficial effect on the treatment of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy sessions. The authors examined the cases of the use of ginger and found it useful for patients with oncology.
Therefore, the source that supports the PICOT best is the article by Farrell et al. (2013), where all the nursing interventions and their benefits when fighting the symptoms of chemotherapy are described. Kamen et al. (2014); however, claim that these nursing measures are useless as the discomfort caused by the treatment is a psychological reason but not physical. This statement partially contradicts the idea of the article under investigation and can hardly be considered as the basis for recommendations. Marx et al. (2013) offer to use ginger as a cost-effective and natural remedy, and it is quite a good piece of advice. The following studies may include more information concerning the positive impact of different useful drugs and contain a deeper explanation of the ways to fight the symptoms of chemotherapy.
References
Farrell, C., Brearley, S. G., Pilling, M., & Molassiotis, A. (2013). The impact of chemotherapy-related nausea on patients’ nutritional status, psychological distress and quality of life. Supportive Care in Cancer, 21(1), 59-66.
Hilarius, D. L., Kloeg, P. H., van der Wall, E., van den Heuvel, J. J., Gundy, C. M., & Aaronson, N. K. (2012). Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in daily clinical practice: A community hospital-based study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20(1), 107-117.
Jordan, K., Jahn, F., & Aapro, M. (2015). Recent developments in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV): A comprehensive review. Annals of Oncology, 26(6), 1081-1090.
Kamen, C., Tejani, M. A., Chandwani, K., Janelsins, M., Peoples, A. R., Roscoe, J. A., & Morrow, G. R. (2014). Anticipatory nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy. European Journal of Pharmacology, 722, 172-179.
Marx, W. M., Teleni, L., McCarthy, A. L., Vitetta, L., McKavanagh, D., Thomson, D., & Isenring, E. (2013). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic literature review. Nutrition Reviews, 71(4), 245-254.