The oncology nurse reviews the treatment plan with the oncologist, is aware of expected outcomes and possible complications, and independently assesses the patient's general physical and emotional status. It is essential that a detailed nursing history and physical examination be completed.

Telephone triage nurses give care and consultation, over the phone and online, to patients seeking medical treatment. A telephone triage nurse, through a series of questions, assesses the patient's condition, then directs the patient to appropriate medical services.

It is the nurse who must identify, assess, intervene, and educate, thus ensuring the opportunity for a positive outcome in the management of oncologic emergencies. Therefore, it is important for nurses to have working knowledge of the signs, symptoms, and laboratory values associated with each oncologic emergency.

… but oncology is a particularly challenging subset of nursing. It requires a special breed of nurses. If you're an oncology nurse, you're tough. … to persevere through exhausting and often emotional shifts.

The telephone triage documentation recommendations of the AAACN are based on 6 dimensions of triage information documentation. These dimensions are encounter characteristics, patient characteristics, contact characteristics, reason for the call, nursing actions and post-triage disposition action.

“Our telephone triage efforts involve performing verbal assessments, triaging symptoms, providing advice, as well as navigating patients throughout their cancer journey.”

Prioritizing and routing patients to receive appropriate medical care or treatment. Escorting patients to the right place in the health care facility to receive treatment or care. Reassessing patients who are awaiting medical attention. Performing patient assessments based on established guidelines.