The purpose of the study is to research the side effects of chemotherapy which are experienced by cancer patients, theirself-care behaviors to manage the side effect symptoms, and to for provide the fundamental knowledge basis for nursing intervention and self-care education.
The subjects were 15 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in 2 university hospitals.
The side effects and self-care behaviors were categorized into 7 themes.
1) First theme 2) Second theme Patients experienced oral-dryness & stomatitis. Patients consumed water, candy a warm food and various beverages.
3) Third theme 4) Fourth theme Patients wore appropriate clothes to hide it. To deal with alopecia, they used hats, head kerchief, and positive thinking.
5) Fifth theme 6) Sixth theme Mecreased Exercise Function) Patients experienced musculoskeletal changes and decreased amounts and range of activities. They did self-care behaviors such as taking baths, -exercising etc.
7) Seventh theme From the above research, it can be concluded that :
Patients used self-care behaviors which were not proved in effectiveness and education for the prevention and management fo the related side effects of chemotherapy was not effective, either.
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