Emergency Care for Acute Leukemia Patients

Transcription

1 PATIENT EDUCATION patienteducation.osumc.edu Emergency Care for Acute Leukemia Patients Emergency Care During and After Treatment Here are guidelines about when and how to report problems that you may have while being treated for your cancer. Your doctor may give you more detailed instructions on how to manage certain problems and when you should call to report a problem. Symptoms and When to Call to Your Doctor Symptom Common Problem Action Fever Temperature This symptom can be a serious problem when you have leukemia Tell your nurse if you do not have a thermometer at home. The nurse will make sure that you have one before you go home. away if you have a fever of degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher. You may be told to go to the Emergency Room. Do not take Tylenol, aspirin, Ibuprofen or Aleve before you call the doctor about a fever. Bleeding Blood in vomit or stool Nose Eye Apply first aid (pinch the nose, put head forward, apply ice pack to nose and back of neck. Call the doctor. This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. March 27, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

2 New petechiae (pin point red dots under the surface of the skin) or new bruises hours Cold symptoms These symptoms can be a serious problem when you have leukemia. Change in level of alertness Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Implantable Port Vomiting or nausea Urine away unless you have been given different instructions. Vagina When you call, be ready to tell your doctor how many feminine pads you have used. Persistent cough (a cough that does not go away) Shortness of breath Sore throat, runny nose Unable to wake up or speak Severe headache Confusion Dizziness or lightheadedness A tear or crack in the catheter Unable to flush catheter Tenderness, redness or drainage where the catheter comes out of the skin Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds Unable to keep medicines, food or fluids down Feel lightheaded and dizzy Family/Caregiver should call 911. Family/Caregiver should call your doctor right

3 Mouth sores Unable to swallow fluids or unable to keep food or medicines down Diarrhea (liquid stool, watery, without form) Skin rashes, sores or lesions Stool that has blood in it or looks like black tar Increase in the amount and number of times you have diarrhea away unless you have been given different instructions. Any new symptom Eyes Visual changes Redness or drainage Dry, itchy Joint or bone pain, or joint swelling Abdominal pain or cramping Chest pain Any new symptoms or if pain medicine is needed Severe pain or pain that continues for over 24 hours Pressure or crushing pain in the middle of your chest that may go across your chest to your shoulders, arms (one or both), neck or back Call 911. Indigestion Stomach pain or gas New feeling of weakness/ numbness in legs and arms New problems with bladder and/or bowel control Problems with walking, going up and down stairs, getting out of a chair or car due to leg weakness. Problem with being able to completely empty your bladder. Problems with controlling your bowel movements or urine (wetting oneself).

4 Numbness in anal area Feeling of numbness when you wipe after going to the bathroom Neck or back pain Other Important Information New pain in your neck or back When the Doctor s Office is Closed If you need to call your doctor after regular office hours, you may reach a voice mail or an answering service. Your doctor or the doctor on call will be notified and will call you back to discuss your problem. Medicine Refills Keep track of your medicines to know when you need a refill. Remember to check your supply of medicines before the weekend or before going on a vacation. Call your doctor s office during regular business hours to get a refill. When you need a refill, call your doctor 1 week before you will run out of medicine. This will give your doctor enough time to order the medicine for you. Important Medical Phone Numbers You may find it helpful to write down your important medical phone numbers. Keep a copy of this information on your refrigerator and in your purse or wallet. Emergency Squad (Ambulance) 911 Call this number in a medical emergency Cancer Doctor Call the doctor for non-emergencies and prescription refills during regular business If you call this number after hours or weekends, the doctor on call will be paged.

5 Nurse Practitioner Family/Primary Doctor The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Hospital Operator (614) List other important numbers here: Call this number for non-emergencies and prescription refills during regular business Call this number for routine problems that are not a side effect of your cancer treatments. Call this number after 5pm on weekdays, weekends and holidays. The operator will page the doctor on call. Name