Nurses’ Experiences Caring for Children With Neuroblastoma Receiving 131 I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Therapy: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Neuroblastoma, the most common extra-cranial solid tumor found in children, carries a high mortality rate due to challenges with metastatic disease at diagnoses and relapse. ¹³¹I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-MIBG) therapy provides targeted radiotherapy to treat neuroblastoma, but requires children to be isolated for radiation exposure, with limited access to the healthcare team while hospitalized. There is minimal research outlining the nurses’ perspectives on caring for this patient population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the nurses’ experiences caring for children receiving ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy, focusing on nursing care, challenges, radiation exposure, and preparation. Methods: Ten nurses were recruited using purposeful sampling for this qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interview guides and conventional qualitative content analysis guided the data collection and analysis. Results: Nurses overwhelmingly felt isolated from their patients and a decreased sense of connection with the child. Although nurses felt prepared, they had more anxiety with the first patient experience and identified that parent engagement was essential. Overall, nurses shared they had support from written materials outlining the protocols, and members of the multidisciplinary team. More concern for radiation exposure was expressed by nurses of childbearing age and with handling bodily fluids. Discussion: Findings suggest that nurses would benefit from simulation experiences to help prepare for radiation exposure safety, strategies to engage the family in the child's care, and interacting with a child in single-room isolation. Because programs differ around the US, additional research exploring nurses’ experiences is warranted to evaluate the best successes in providing ¹³¹I-MIBG therapy.