Nursing of ovarian cancer patients taking paclitaxel

Paclitaxel is a complex secondary metabolite in Taxus plants. It can interfere with the division period of cancer cells and effectively block the normal division of cancer cells. It has a certain effect on ovarian cancer. However, most patients who use paclitaxel will have adverse reactions, which will burden the patient both physically and mentally. During the treatment of ovarian cancer with paclitaxel, some nursing measures should be taken for patients:

1. Psychological care: Ovarian cancer patients have undergone surgery and repeated chemotherapy, but some patients do not have a great effect and have little confidence in the treatment of the disease. In addition, chemotherapy also brings physical discomfort to patients that cannot be expressed in words, which will cause anxiety, fear, and depression. Paclitaxel used in the treatment of ovarian cancer is expensive, which will also cause certain financial pressure on some patients. And the use of paclitaxel will also cause hair loss in patients, which is also a blow to the beauty of female patients. In response to such psychological changes, doctors should introduce to patients the effects of paclitaxel used at home and abroad, and introduce some successful cases to establish a positive mentality for patients to overcome the disease. At the same time, patients should be explained the use of paclitaxel and cisplatin and the possible adverse reactions and treatment methods after treatment, so that patients have enough psychological preparation to cooperate with the treatment.

2. Pain care: Many patients experience soreness in the muscles and joints of the whole body or lower limbs after infusion of paclitaxel. The pain usually occurs on the 2nd to 3rd day after infusion, and can occur as early as 4 hours after infusion, lasting for 4 to 6 days. The pain is relieved or disappears after the 6th to 7th day. Listen to the patient's complaints patiently during nursing, explain to the patient that the occurrence of pain is the reaction of the drug to the body, and eliminate their doubts. For mild and moderate pain, 50 mg of diclofenac suppositories can be used, rectally administered, 3 times/d; for severe pain, sustained-release morphine preparations are the first choice, oral mefenamic acid 30 mg, 2 times/d. The vast majority of patients are relieved of pain after taking analgesics, and their spirit, diet, and sleep are greatly improved, ensuring the smooth progress of treatment.