Nursing of 40 children with advanced neuroblastoma during chemotherapy

Objective To explore the nursing characteristics of children with advanced neuroblastoma during long-term and high-dose chemotherapy. Methods Forty children（26 males and 14 females）with neuroblastoma were included in this study.Of the 40 children,15 were older than 7-9 years and 25 were 2-6 years old,19 were at stage Ⅲ and 21 were at stage Ⅳ.Chemotherapy consisted of four courses of CDV and two courses of CiE.PICC catheter were indwelled in the children.Chemotherapeutic drugs were given by intravenous infusion for 48-72h and sustained hydration and alkalification were conducted.The side effects of psychotherapy and chemotherapy were monitored. Results The side effects of chemotherapy,such as gastrointestinal reactions,inhibition of bone marrow,and hemorrhagic cystitis,were explained to the children and managed.The children and their parents received psychological nursing. Conclusion Indwelling PICC catheter can alleviate the pain due to repeated venipuncture and reduce the incidence of phlebitis in children with advanced neuroblastoma.Careful nursing of such children can strengthen their confidence in receiving chemotherapy,overcoming the disease,and improving therapeutic effect.