癌症惡病質病患之護理

Nursing Care of Cancer Patients with Cachexia

惡病質是癌症病患在罹病及治療過程中最常出現的症狀之一，不僅影響其身體、心理及社會功能，造成治療效果減低、生活品質下降，甚至威脅生命。臨床上對於癌症惡病質之判斷，目前多受個人主觀經驗影響，尚無統一之標準，故相關知識仍有待加強及提升，因此，本文藉由文獻查證，討論癌症惡病質的定義、病因、影響、評估、臨床處置及護理，期望在護理實務上，幫助護理人員在照顧此類病患時，能擬定更有效的護理措施和提供整體性的照顧，改善惡病質的症狀，以促進病患的身心舒適、提升功能狀態及生活品質。

Cachexia is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients which significantly affects one's physical, psychological, and social functions. In addition, it may decrease therapeutic effects, quality of life, and even threaten one's life. However, up to now, insufficient attention has been given on this issue. The purpose of this article is to introduce the definition, etiology, effect, assessment, clinical management, and nursing care of cancer cachexia. This review provides nurses with a reference in preventing and dealing with cancer patients' cachexia problems.