Nausea, vomiting, and retching: the management of the symptom experience

OBJECTIVES: To examine the physiology of nausea, vomiting, and retching (NVR); the impact of NVR on the patient: current measures to control NVR; and selfcare interventions. DATA SOURCES: Research studies, abstracts, and review articles relating to NVR associated with cancer treatment as well as pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Management of the individual symptoms of NVR require expert, ongoing assessment of the patient's symptom experience that extends beyond the clinic or hospital visit. Although a number of pharmacological antiemetic agents are currently available and additional antiemetic drugs are in phase II or II trials, nonpharmacological interventions are essential to achieve effective management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Continual assessment of the individual's symptom experience is imperative. Effective management of the symptom experience depends on the oncology nurses's ability to implement current knowledge of antiemetic, and other drugs; non-pharmacological interventions; and cost-effective and clinically useful patient outcomes.