Frequent IV Tubing and Component Changes
The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) 2011 guidelines recommend that IV administration sets should not be changed more often than every 96 hours, or 72 hours for needle-less systems, unless used for blood products. Studies have examined the effects of more frequent IV tubing or other components of administration sets on patients with cancer.
Foot Massage
Foot massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the feet using the hands, including combinations of strokes, rubs, and the application of pressure. It has been theorized that foot massage may help control pain by closing gates in the spinal cord, blocking the passage of pain stimuli to the central nervous system. Foot massage has been evaluated for its effect on acute and chronic pain among patients with cancer.
Folinic Acid
Folinic acid is a form of vitamin B that has vitamin activity like folic acid. It is a coenzyme in many metabolic reactions. Systemic and local administration of folinic acid have been examined in patients with cancer for prevention of oral mucositis.
Flurbiprofen Tooth Patch
Flurbiprofen is a type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug. It is a cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox 2) inhibitor. Cox 2 has been associated with the development of mucositis and flubiprofen in the form of a tooth patch and has been evaluated for the prevention and management of mucositis in patients with cancer.
Flurbiprofen
Flurbiprofen is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Intravenous flurbiprofen was evaluated in patients with cancer for its effectiveness in relieving breakthrough pain. The administration of flurbiprofen in the perioperative period among women with breast cancer was evaluated for its potential effect on chronic pain after breast surgery.
Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Fluoxetine in particular has been evaluated for use in hot flashes. SSRIs in general have been evaluated for use in depression.
Fentanyl (Subcutaneous)
Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic drug. Subcutaneous fentanyl can be considered for patients in whom subcutaneous morphine is contraindicated. It has been investigated as an intervention to relieve breakthrough dyspnea in patients who have cancer. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the different formulations for these medications, the length of their half-life, and the onset of action.
Fat Graft
Fat tissue grafting has been done by injecting fat tissue that is obtained via liposuction. This procedure was examined in women with severe scare retraction and postmastectomy pain for its effect on pain.
Fan/Increasing Airflow
Increasing airflow and movement to the face has been suggested as an approach to relieve breathlessness. Use of a handheld fan for this purpose was evaluated for management of dyspnea.
Family-Focused Grief Therapy
Family-focused grief therapy is a model of care provision in which families are screened at the time of beginning palliative care services to identify those at risk for negative psychosocial outcomes as a result of relationships. The therapy intervention involves assisting families to use strengths and to cope (Kissane et al., 2006)