Palliation Flashcards
What is goal
Optimising the patient qol
what is involved
Relief of symptoms
Holistic approach
What setting can palliation be delivered
Outpatient
Inpatient
Hospice
Charities
What symptoms are most common in palliation
Pain
N/V
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Lost appetite
what is the difference between persistent and breakthrough pain
persistant is all the time
breakthrough is an intense pain burst
Describe neuropathic pain
electric
stabbing
pins and needles
Numb
How manage neuropathic pain
Amitriptyline
Gabapentin
Why are bisphosphonates used in the management of bone cancer
bisposphonates reduce the space that allows the bone cancer to grow
What are the causes of constipation
physical inactivity
lack of privacy
drugs
electrolyte
disease
what is non p treatment options for constipation
regular exercise
avoid ignoring need to go
eat fibre
good position
avoid constipating meds
what are pharmacological options for constipation
stool softners such as docusate
what is a complication of constipation and how can it be identified
faecal impaction seen via lumpy hard stool, over flow diarrhoea
how do we manage faecal impaction
macrogols high dose - if hard stool
soft stools use a stimulant laxative
if inadequate response use suppositories or if continued use sodium picosulphate enema
what should be given when hard stool
high dose macrogol
what should be given for soft stool
stimulant lax
