Chemotherapy Practice Competencies

It is essential the nurse administering chemotherapy have completed a recognised training and assessment course, as per Cancer Care Alliance (CCA) chemotherapy education policy (2006), In 1998 The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) produced clinical practice guidelines in the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy, together with chemotherapy Nursing Practice Standards (CCA 2006) these set out safe working practices, thereby protecting both patients and staff from the risks associated with the handling and administering of cytotoxic drugs. By following national and local guidelines the nurse also has a professional duty to adhere to their Code Of Conduct devised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2008) to provide a high standard of practice and care at all times, based on the best available evidence or best practice. (NMC 2008). States the nurse for their practice and should work within the limits of their competence. Therefore effective training and having a working knowledge of the (NMC 2004) Guidelines for the administration of medicines the nurse will be familiar with the chemotherapy drugs and their side effects and toxicities, which may range from an acute reaction to one that manifests days or weeks after treatment. The nurse will have the ability to provide effective support and treatment for the patient presenting with the symptoms described in the given question. This would lead me to suspect the possibility of an underlying infection, probably from the Hickman line. Infection is the leading complication associated with central venous catheters (CCA 2006) and an important cause of mortality in cancer patients (Viscoli 1998 p65) This is classed as a clinical emergency and requires immediate intervention preventing life threatening complications. In order to provide a high standard patient centred care, an adequate holistic assessment should be carried out with the patient and carer. In doing so the nurse can communicate affectively with the patient

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