Nausea and Vomiting (in palliative care)

Chapter 12: Nausea and Vomiting

Description:

It is estimated that 50–60% of patients with advanced cancer suffer from nausea and/or vomiting (Baines 1997).The palliative-care nurse has a pivotal role as a team member in the alleviation of nausea and vomiting and associated symptoms. The nurse’s role in the management of nausea and vomiting requires excellent assessment skills and contemporary knowledge of physiology, current pharmacology and appropriate non pharmacological interventions.

Topics

• Introduction
• Definitions
• Physiology
  • Mechanisms of vomiting
  • Causes of Vomiting
• Assessment
  • The person’s story
  • Physical examination
  • Investigations
• Documentation
• Intervention
  • Immediate non-drug measures
    • Food preparation and environmental measures
    • Gastrointestinal factors
  • Drug therapy
  • Mechanical and surgical intervention
    • Nasogastric tube
    • Percutaneous gastrostomy
  • Complementary therapy
• Management in the last hours of lfe
• Conclusion

Author / Speaker:

Robyn Millership
Robyn is a registered nurse and midwife with qualifications in intensive care, ward management and nursing education. Robyn has worked in palliative care as a nurse consultant for many years. Her background is diverse, including clinical practice, administration and education. Robyn’s current position is that of nurse consultant in palliative care at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) and at Caritas Christi Hospice, Melbourne. Robyn is passionately committed to providing excellence in symptom control for patients with a terminal illness. She was a recipient of a Victorian Nurses Care Award in 1994 as recognition of her work in putting into effect her belief that most people can achieve apparently impossible goals if they are provided with optimal symptom control, knowledge, encouragement and support.

Professional Reviews: