Preventing and Mitigating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Patients

STATEMENT OF NEED

The introduction of effective antiemetic regimens in recent years has led many clinicians to assume that CINV is no longer a major problem. However, nausea and vomiting are frequent complications of cancer treatment, occurring in up to 80% of patients receiving chemotherapy. Furthermore, wide gaps exist between patient and provider perceptions of nausea and vomiting. Clinicians often consider nausea and vomiting “minor” complications and regard these symptoms as inconveniences rather than serious medical problems. On the contrary, uncontrolled CINV is reported by patients to significantly impair their quality of life and reduce daily functioning. Uncontrolled CINV may also lead to severe clinical conditions, including electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and malnutrition, which may compromise a patient’s ability to respond to cancer therapy. Additionally, research has shown that uncontrolled CINV may be detrimental to survival. Moreover, the costs associated with uncontrolled CINV represent a significant economic burden to the health care system.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and other health care professionals involved in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Assess the risk for nausea and vomiting in cancer patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy
Identify chemotherapeutic agents with high and moderate emetic risk
Differentiate antiemetic regimens for acute, delayed, breakthrough, and refractory CINV
Apply strategies to promote patient self-report of symptoms for optimal CINV control