Nausea is a subjective sensation associated with the will or desire to vomit. Vomiting is
described as the oral expulsion of stomach or intestinal contents with a person having signs and
symptoms such as a rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, pallor, pupil dilation, and
retching (de Carvalho, Martins, and dos Santos, 2007). CINV can be acute (taking place minutes
or hours after treatment), delayed (taking place 24 hours or longer after treatment), anticipatory,
breakthrough (occurring even after preventative medications have been taken), or refractory
(antinausea medications that worked in the past no longer control the symptoms) (National
Comprehensive Cancer Network [NCCN], 2008) and can lead to dehydration, electrolyte
imbalance, malnutrition, decreased self-care, decrease functioning, depression, and fatigue (Lohr,
2008; NCCN, 2008).
Oncology nurses are in a key position to monitor and assess patients CINV. Ongoing assessment
(see Table 1) also can lead to treatment changes or new management strategies (Friend &
Johnston, 2009). A thorough assessment can help oncology nurses and the healthcare team to
fully understand the impact of CINV on patients.
Several clinical measurement tools are available to augment the assessment steps. The Common
Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) from the National Cancer Institute (2006) is
one of the more common tools. The Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR) and the
Functional Living IndexEmesis (Friend & Johnston, 2009) also are useful forms of measure.
Finally, the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer ([MASCC], 2004)
developed an antiemesis tool (MAT) that measures the frequency and intensity of acute and
delayed nausea and vomiting.
Certain regimens have shown great effectiveness in controlling acute and delayed CINV. Table 2
contains of list of these agents based on emetogenic properties (Oncology Nursing Society,
2008).
Granisetron
Ondansetron
DolasetronM
Tropisetron
Aprepitant
Fosaprepitant
Corticosteroid
o
Dexamethasone
Benzodiazepine
o
Lorazepam
Low emetogenic
Corticosteroid
o Dexamethasone
Phenothiazine
o
Prochlorperazine
Benzodiazepine
o
Lorazepam
Minimal emetogenic
Note. Effective dosage, timing, and combinations of medications may vary according to the
emetogenic properties of the chemotherapy regimen and onset of CINV. More information about
dosage and schedule information can be found in Friend and Johnston (2009).
Note. Based on information from ASHP, 1999; Gralla et al., 1999; MASCC, 2008; NCCN, 2008;
Polovich et al., 2005).
Likely to be effective
The ONS PEP team found several avenues that were likely to be effective when treating patients
with cancer suffering from CINV. In order to be classified as likely to be effective in the PEP
program, an intervention must have effectiveness demonstrated by strong evidence from
rigorously designed studies, meta-analyses, or systemic reviews. Also, expectation of harm must
be small compared with benefits (Eaton & Tipton, 2009).
Acupressure:
Three randomized, controlled trials (Dibble, Chapman, Mack, & Smith, 2000; Klein & Griffiths,
2004; Shin, Kim, Shin, & Juon, 2004) found some evidence that acupressure reduced CINV
compared to no intervention at all. The noted benefits were decreased severity, frequency, and
duration and were seen in a patient population of mixed cancers. A study by Molassiotis, Helin,
Dabbour, and Hummerston (2007) found significant decreases in occurrence and distress among
patients with breast cancer. Finally, Dibble et al. (2007) concluded that acupressure significantly
reduced the frequency of CINV over time when compared to placebo or usual care.
Acupuncture:
Collins and Thomas (2004) and Mayer (2000) found that acupuncture provided a clinically
significant reduction in CINV. Shen et al. (2000) came to a similar conclusion when comparing
acupuncture and pharmacotherapy to pharmacotherapy alone. However, in a systematic review
by Klein & Griffiths (2004), acupuncture reduced vomiting but not nausea.
Exercise
Ginger
Yoga
Nurses are in a unique position to support patients suffering from CINV by using evidence-based
interventions. In addition to initiating treatments, nurses should assess the impact of CINV on
patients and their families, provide instruction and information about potential management
options, and help patients maintain treatment adherence.