Management of chemotherapy-related symptoms in children and adolescents: family caregivers’ perspectives

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the chemotherapy-associated symptoms and strategies used for their management from perspective of pediatric cancer patients’ family caregivers. Methods: This is a descriptive study with qualitative data analysis. Data collection took place in hospital, December 2017 to 2018, caregivers patients undergoing chemotherapy. Semi-structured interviews, subjected inductive content analysis, were carried out. Concepts Symptom Management Theory discuss results. Results: Eighteen participated. The participants mentioned: physical symptoms, especially weakness, alopecia, low immunity, pain, mucositis, constipation, nausea, vomiting; emotional or psychosocial such as sadness mood changes; constitutional loss appetite fever. Pharmacological non-pharmacological measures mentioned adverse effects. Conclusion: Participants demonstrated skills identify manage Knowing experience these families can help nurses planning care interventions minimize events.