J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  1995 Dec;2(2):115-130.

The Survey of mouth care among cancer patients received chemotherapy

• Byun YS
• Kim AK

Abstract

The incidence of oral complications among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy varies from 12 to 80%. Adequate oral hygiene has been shown to be important in prevention of oral complication and an essential role is reserved for the nursing staff. These considerations prompted the decision to survey by means of a questionaire, the nurses who give care to cancer patients. The Questions were included multidisciplinary treatment, inspection skill, nursing intervention, nursing education, problem in mouth care, solution for problem solving. Results are follow : 1. A total of 116 the nurses returned the questionaire. 2. According to 88.2% of the respondents, the policy with regard to oral hygine in determined by the physician and the nurse. 62.1% of nurses do not consult the dentist When oral complication is occurred. 3. In only 34.5% of case was a penlight used to provide the necessary extra illumination nursing Inspection of oral cavity. 4. Frequency of oral complication observed by the respondents is that they observed complications in < 25% of patients. The nature of the complication varied from ulcer, stomatitis, infection, dry mouth, candidiasis, herpes simplix, bleeding. 5. Percentages of respondents who use the intervention indicated 1) to prevent oral complication : 0.9% normal saline gargling(44%), 0.02% chlorhexidine gargling, oral dressing(38.8%), observation, nutrition, restriction of alcohol and tabaco(23.2%) 2) to deal with the early symptoms : 0.9% normal saline gargling(47.4%), cryotherapy(37.9%), 0.02% chlorhexidine gargling(20.7%) 3) to help alleviate severe complications : dental consult, holding the chemotherapy(34.5%), 0.9% normal saline gargling(31.1%), cryotherapy(18.0%) 6. According to 70% of the respondents, insufficient attention is given to oral complication during nursing education classes only 8.6% said that both the theory and the practical aspects had been deal with in sufficient detail during their training. The results of the survey indicate that oral care in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy has a number of problem. There are not enough dentist to provide the necessary care for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The expertise of the nurses with respect to the pathogenesis of the complication is limited. In the training of nurses, additional attention to oral examinations and oral hygine is warranted. The care of patients should be the responsibility of a multidisciplinary team approach. The nurse occupies a key position with in this team, which includes the medical oncologist, a dentist.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Candidiasis
Chlorhexidine
Surveys and Questionnaires
Dentists
Diagnosis, Oral
Drug Therapy*
Education, Nursing
Hemorrhage
Humans
Incidence
Lighting
Mouth*
Nursing
Nursing Staff
Oral Hygiene
Problem Solving
Stomatitis
Ulcer
Chlorhexidine