What nursing implications are involved in administering immunotherapy?

When administering immunotherapy, a crucial nursing implication is conducting a thorough pre-assessment of the patient's health status and closely monitoring for infusion reactions. This approach is essential because immunotherapy can induce a range of side effects and immune-mediated reactions that may occur during or after the treatment.

Pre-assessing a patient's health status allows the nurse to identify any pre-existing conditions, allergies, or medications that could affect the administration of immunotherapy or increase the risk for adverse reactions. Monitoring during the infusion is also vital, as many patients may experience acute reactions such as fever, chills, rash, or even more severe immunological responses. By being vigilant and prepared to intervene if reactions occur, nurses play a key role in ensuring patient safety and comfort throughout the treatment process.

In addition to the patient monitoring aspect, this comprehensive approach informs subsequent care and intervention strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and minimizing potential complications associated with immunotherapy treatments.