Effect of designed nursing instructions on knowledge and self-care behavior among patients with chemotherapy induced neutropenia

Background: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is the main dose limiting toxicity of systemic chemotherapy and it is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and treatment cost. Aim: Of the study was to evaluate effect of designed nursing instructions on knowledge and self-care behavior among patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Research design: Pre-post research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at internal Medical Oncology Department at South Egypt Cancer Institute. Sample: Sixty adult patients with chemotherapy induced neutropenia. Tools of data collection: Tool (I): Patient assessment sheet, Tool (II): Self-care behavior assessment. Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference between pre and post applying of designed nursing instructions as regard patients' level of knowledge and self- care behavior of the studied patients (p<0.01). Conclusion: The designed nursing instructions improved knowledge and self-care behavior among patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Recommendation: Each neutropenic patient should be given a booklet including knowledge about neutropenia, importance, and how to practice standards self-care behavior. Education of patients and families are keys to prompt recognition about potentially life-threatening symptoms associated with neutropenia.