A teaching booklet for patients receiving mantle field irradiation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To design a booklet for use in educating patients with Hodgkin's disease about mantle field irradiation.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, book chapters, and clinical experience.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Information about the actual mantle field irradiation treatment and its acute side effects, self-care measures, and late effects are included in the booklet, along with a self quiz.

CONCLUSIONS

Feedback from patients and staff is positive. Early detection of and intervention for herpes zoster infection has improved.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The booklet can be used in conjunction with other teaching tools for radiation therapy and skin care and as a written reference for patients and staff.