Investigation in anxiety and adverse reaction during postoperative chemotherapeutic period of patients with breast cancer and the nursing countermeasures

Abstract

Objective To discuss changes of anxiety and adverse reaction before and after chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer, giving selective nursing intervention for coping with chemotherapy in order to reduce patients pain and increase life quality. Methods The changes of anxiety level and adverse reaction degree of 50 patients with breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy were investigated with questionnaires before the first, second and third time of chemotherapy. Results The postoperative patients showed significant difference in total score of Rotterdam symptom checklist, score of physiological domain, psychological domain and state anxiety, among which the adverse reactions such as lack of appetite, fatigue, lack of energy, nausea, acid ingestion, sore mouth, hair lost, irritability, depressed mood and tension increased after beginning chemotherapy. Conclusions Nurses should help patients to understand correctly chemotherapy and its possible adverse reaction, teach them correct coping method in order to reduce uncomfortable symptom, promote whole rehabilitation and increase life quality. Key words: Breast cancer; Chemotherapy; Anxiety Adverse reaction; Nursing