Cancer General/Neutropenia/infection precautions/Leukemia/Mucositis and mouth care

• What is chemotherapy?

• drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill cancer cells or prevent them from multiplying

• How is chemotherapy given in kids?

Can be intravenous, oral, or intrathecal\calculated based on BSA (body surface area)

• What are side effects of chemotherapy?

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Mouth sores

• Infections

• constipation

• What are the nursing considerations for chemotherapy?

• Avoid have smelly food

• Let them eat whatever they want

• What is neutropenia?

• Condition where the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections, is below normal in the bloodstream

• What are the precautions of neutropenia/

• Wash hands frequent;y

• Avoid crows

• Do not share food drinks utensils or other personal items

• Shower or bathe daily using unscented lotion

• Cook meats/eggs all the way though

• Carefully wash raw fruits and vegetables

  • Take off hard shell of fruit at last minute

• Protect skin from bodily waste

• Use gloves when playing in soil

• Clean your teeth and gums with soft toothbrush

• Try and keep all your household surfaces clean

• Get flu shot

• Why is infection prevention crucial with children who have cancer?

• Because when undergoing treatment they are at increased risk of infection 

• What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?

• a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, characterized by an overproduction of immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts

What are the three phases of treatment for leukemia?

• Induction phase (4 weeks)

  • Induce remission

• Consolidation phase (variable)

  • Strengthen remission

• Maintenance phase (2-3 years)

  • Eliminate any residual cancer cells

• What are the manifestations of leukemia?

• Fatigue

• Pallor

• Fever

• Anorexia

• Petechiae

• Bone pain

• Low hgb

• Low hct

• Decreased platelets

• What is acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)?

cancer of the bone marrow and blood where immature myeloid cells, or blasts, build up and crowd out healthy blood cells

What makes acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) different then lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?

• Does not respond to treatment as well as ALL

• More intense chemo

• Many require bone marrow or stem cell transplant

• Symptoms and treatment are similar to ALL

• What is hodgkin lymphoma?

• Characterized by the presence of REED-STERNBERG (RS) cells

• What are the symptoms of hodgkin lymphoma?

• swollen/rubbery lymph nodes

• Fever

• Night sweats

• What is mucositis?

• Painful mouth sores and inflammation

• Why does mucositis occur?

• Its a side effect of cancer treatments like chemo and radiation

• Where does mucositis occur?

• Throughout the digestive tract (mouth to the anus)

What does mucositis cause?

• Difficulty eating drinking and swallowing

• When does mucositis resolve?

• Within a few weeks after cancer treatment is complete

• What are the manifestations of mucositis?

• Painful sores

• Difficulty eating, drinking, and swallowing

• Dry mouth 

• Thick saliva

• diarrhea/vomiting

• What is mouth care of mucositis?

• Good oral hygiene

• Regular mouth rinses

• Soft diet

• Brush gentle

• Avoid spicy, acidic, and crunchy foods

• Lip care

• Hydrate more