I am a pediatric hemalogy oncology nurse! Flashcards
neoplastic
refers to cells that abnormally proliferate
how is cancer started
d/t an alteration in cellular regulation that leads to out-of-control cell growth
accounts for the most deaths from disease in children older than one year old
when does blood cell production begin
occurs in the embryo by 8 weeks gestation
when does physiological anemia occur?
between the age of 2 and 6 months
how do most pediatric cancer begin?
arise from primitive embryonal and neuroectodermal tissues
leading to leukemias, lymphomas, sarcomas or CNS tumors
** in comparison to adult cancers which mostly arise from epithelial cells –> carcinomas **
common warning signs of cancer
changes in blood cell production –> fatigue, pallor, frequent or severe infection or easy bruising
what happens when infilration, obstruction or compression of a tumor occurs
may result in bone or abdominal pain or pain in other parts of the body, swelling or unusual discharge
chemotherapy
- some txs can impair a child’s growth and development
- recommends decision making for an older child/adolescents should include the assent of the older child or adolescent
- chemo disrupts the cell cycle of cancer cells and normal rapidly dividing cells… bone marrow, digestive tract especially mouth, reproductive system and hair follicles are impacted
adverse effects of chemo
immunosuppression
infection
myelosuppression
nausea
vomiting
constipation
oral mucositis
alopecia
pain
long term complications of chemo
microdontia and missing teeth
hearing and vision changes
hematopoietic
immunologic
endocrine dysfunction
altered and delayed puberty
development of a 2nd cancer as an adolescent or adult
radiation therapy overview
uses high energy radiation to damage or kill cancer cells
impacts cancer cells and normal cells
can be used alone or in combo with chemo
can be used to shrink a tumor prior to surgical resection
adverse effects of radiation
fatigue
nausea
vomitting
oral mucositis
myelosuppression
alteration in skin integrity
hormonal dysfunction
hearing and vision alterations
learning problems
cardiac dysfunction
pulmonary fibrosis
hepatic, sexual or renal disfunction
osteoporosis
development of secondary cancer
hematopoietic stem cell transplant
** bone marrow transplantation **
- stem cells infused intraveneously into the child
- transplanted cells migrate to the empty spaces in child’s bone marrow and reestablish hematopoisis in child
- used in leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, neuroblastoma and another solid tumor
what is first line tx for most peds cancer
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation … but also used for refractory or advanced disease
allogenic HSCT
refers to transplantation using cells from another individual
requires human leukocyte antibody matching
degree of match is inversely related to risk for graft rejection and development of graft versus host disease
complications of HSCT
infection
electrolyte imbalance, bleeding and organ, skin, mucous membrane toxicities
long term complications of HSCT
include impaired growth, infertility related to endocrine dysfunction, developmental delay, cataracts, pulmonary and cardiac disease, avascular necrosis of bone and development of secondary cancers
assessment
inspection
hx
palpation
labs
education
inspection
inspect for skin changes such as pallor, bruising and flushing are often the first signs that there is a problem developing
changes in mental status such as lethargy can indicate a decrease in hemoglobin and a decrease in o2 being delivered to the brain
note of thin or frail appearance, fatigue or altered LOC
hx
explore family hx for inherited disorders such as hemophilia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia or hx of cancer
determine risk for lead exposure and malnutrition
palpation
palpate abdomen for tenderness, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, or presence of a mass
labs
MCV
MCH
MCHC
RDW
MPC
Platelets
mcv
average size of the RBC
MCH
calculated value of the o2 carrying capacity of the hemoglobin in the RBC
MCHC
a calculated value that reflects the concentration of hemoglobin inside the RBC
RDW
calculated value that is the measure of the width of the RBC
MPC
measurement of the size of the platelets
platelets
decreases can result if the platelets are being used up when bleeding is present, if an inherited disorder is present or if the spleen holds them, as in hypersplenism
Education
- seek med care immediately if child’s temp is 101 degrees or higher
- call oncologist if any of the following occur –> cough or rapid breathing, increase bruising bleeding or petechiae, pallor, sore throat, blisters, rashes, ulcers, abdominal pain, difficulty/pain with eating, constipation or diarrhea
- for children with CVC pus, redness, swelling at site needs to be reported IMMEDIATELY
- don’t give child aspirin
about administering chemo
- wear double gloves
- nonpermeable gowns
- chemotherapy doses in children are based on their body surface area
adverse effects with chemo
- myelosuppression leads to low blood counts in all cell lines –> child at increased risk for infection, hemorrhage and anemia = pancytopenia
- cooling the scalp during chemotherapy administration with the use of the cool cap may decrease hair loss
preventing infection with chemo
- many cause significant bone marrow suppression and decrease amounts of circulated mature neutrophils
- administering granulocyte colony stimulating factor as ordered to promote neutrophil growth and maturation
- administer varicella zoster immunoglobin within 72 hours of exposure to active chickenpox… if child is actively infected with chx pox administer IV acyclovir as ordered
- children receiving tx for acute lymphoblastic leukemia are at risk for opportunistic infection with pneumocystis jiroveci as most children are colonized with this fungus…. administer prophylactic antibiotics as ordeered and teach the parents to administer them at home
- practice meticulous hygiene
- avoid anyone ill… especially with chickenpox
- avoid crowded areas
- don’t let child receive live vaccines (MMR)
- do not take child’s temp rectally or give meds rectal route
- administer 2x trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 3 days consecutive each week as ordered for prevention of pneumocystis pneumonia
bone suppression from chemo
- nadir is the time after administration of the drug when BM suppression is expected to be at its greatest in the neutrophil count is expected to be at its lowest neutropenia
- Nadir is indiv for each drug in ranges from 7 to 28 days after dose and period
- absolute neutrophil count below 500 places the child at greatest risk although an absolute neutrophil count below 1500 usually warrants evaluation
mucositis
mouth or gut is sore and inflamed