When I was in graduate school, I worked as a chemotherapy nurse. Patients would often talk about the side effects of the medications. One of the most bothersome was the peripheral neuropathy that caused numbness and tingling—the “pins and needles”—and often cramping, pain, and weakness that made walking difficult.

Assessing and managing CIPN as well as educating patients.

This month, Robert Knoerl’s article, “Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy” (CIPN), provides a review of “strategies to use in assessing, managing, and educating patients who are at risk for or are experiencing CIPN.” He notes that CIPN affects 68% of patients receiving many commonly used drugs for cancer treatment and can begin as early as the first treatment and continue long after treatment ends, resulting in months of debilitating symptoms.

Although certain classes of medication may help alleviate symptoms in some patients, there are no medications approved specifically for treating CIPN. There is, however, some evidence that exercise can help mitigate the effects.

Peripheral neuropathy and qualify of life.

A friend recently went through chemotherapy. One of the medications he was receiving was cisplatin—a platinum compound, which like the vinca alkaloids, causes muscle weakness in addition to other neuropathy symptoms. Recently, he had a scare when driving because he was unable to feel how hard he was pressing on the gas or brake pedals. His independence and mobility are now limited; he hadn’t realized how much CIPN would cause quality of life issues.

A crucial role for nurses in assessment and patient education.

This is where nurses’ assessment of safety risks and patient education are important to caution patients and inform them of what to expect to help them minimize risk for accidents.

Knoerl’s article provides some useful tips. You can read it for free AND earn CE credit.