In the case of a patient undergoing chemotherapy, what is the best nursing intervention for vomiting?

In the case of a patient undergoing chemotherapy, what is the best nursing intervention for vomiting?

• A. Administer pain medication
• B. Offer a light meal with a pleasant taste
• C. Reassure the patient this is normal
• D. Provide oral care and comfort

Answer: (D)

In the context of a patient undergoing chemotherapy, providing oral care and comfort is a highly effective nursing intervention for managing vomiting. Chemotherapy often leads to nausea and vomiting due to its impact on the gastrointestinal system. Oral care is essential because vomiting can cause discomfort, dry mouth, and changes in taste. By ensuring the patient’s mouth is clean and comfortable, the nurse can alleviate some of the distress associated with nausea and vomiting. Additionally, providing comfort can help the patient feel more at ease during a physically challenging time. This support can include offering damp cloths, ensuring hydration, and creating a calm atmosphere, which can significantly improve the patient’s overall experience. The other options, while they may have their merits, do not directly address the immediate issues presented by vomiting as effectively. Offering a light meal, for instance, may not be appropriate during an episode of vomiting and can potentially aggravate the situation. Reassuring the patient is certainly supportive but may not provide practical relief from discomfort. Administering pain medication may also be unnecessary unless pain is a specific symptom, as the focus should primarily be on comfort and managing the side effects of chemotherapy.

In the context of a patient undergoing chemotherapy, providing oral care and comfort is a highly effective nursing intervention for managing vomiting. Chemotherapy often leads to nausea and vomiting due to its impact on the gastrointestinal system. Oral care is essential because vomiting can cause discomfort, dry mouth, and changes in taste. By ensuring the patient’s mouth is clean and comfortable, the nurse can alleviate some of the distress associated with nausea and vomiting.

Additionally, providing comfort can help the patient feel more at ease during a physically challenging time. This support can include offering damp cloths, ensuring hydration, and creating a calm atmosphere, which can significantly improve the patient’s overall experience.

The other options, while they may have their merits, do not directly address the immediate issues presented by vomiting as effectively. Offering a light meal, for instance, may not be appropriate during an episode of vomiting and can potentially aggravate the situation. Reassuring the patient is certainly supportive but may not provide practical relief from discomfort. Administering pain medication may also be unnecessary unless pain is a specific symptom, as the focus should primarily be on comfort and managing the side effects of chemotherapy.