Key points in the care of multiple myeloma

  The care of patients with multiple myeloma is a challenge because of many characteristics such as infection, fracture laxity, anemia, low immunity to infection, and renal insufficiency. Over the years, we have accumulated more experience in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma patients, which we would like to share with our medical colleagues and patient friends.  1, moderate exercise General patients can appropriate activities, excessive restriction of the body can promote the patient secondary infection and osteoporosis, but never strenuous activities, should avoid excessive load, to prevent falls, bruises, depending on the specific use of lumbar girth, splints, but to prevent the resulting poor blood circulation. If the patient is prone to comorbidities due to prolonged illness and reduced immune function, he should rest in bed and reduce activities. When there is bone destruction, absolute bed rest should be taken to prevent causing pathological fracture. Li Xiumei, Department of Hematology, Lianyungang Second People’s Hospital, Lianyungang, China 2. Sleeping on a hard bed To prevent pathological fractures and spinal deformities, patients should be given a hard bed and avoid using an elastic bed. Keep the patient in a comfortable position to avoid injuries, especially injuries from falling out of bed.  3.Dietary care Give a high-calorie, high-protein, vitamin-rich and easy-to-digest diet. Patients with renal insufficiency should be given a low sodium, low protein or wheat starch diet to reduce the burden on the kidneys. In case of hyperuricemia and hypercalcemia, patients should be encouraged to drink more water and keep the daily urine volume above 2000ml to prevent or reduce hypercalcemia and hyperuricemia.  4.Turn over regularly Elderly bedridden patients who have difficulty in moving their limbs should be assisted to turn over regularly and gently to avoid fractures. The skin under pressure should be given warm towels for massage or physical therapy, and the bed should be kept dry and flat to prevent bedsores.  5, oral care Patients with renal impairment, due to excessive accumulation of metabolites, part of the waste into the respiratory tract discharge and produce bad breath, affecting the patient’s appetite, should do a good job of oral care, and give 0.05% chlorhexidine solution and 4% sodium bicarbonate solution alternate gargle to prevent bacterial and fungal infection.  6, pain care As the disease progresses, bone pain symptoms are difficult to relieve, and the degree of bone pain varies, mainly occurring in bones rich in red bone marrow, such as ribs and sternum. The nerve roots may appear neuralgia due to pressure. We should care for the patient and try to relieve the patient’s pain. Especially for pain caused by physical activity, the patient should be closely observed and carefully cared for. Give appropriate amount of sedative and analgesic drugs as prescribed by the doctor, and morphine analgesic drugs can be given if necessary. Local radiotherapy can also be carried out to reduce symptoms.  7, prevention of infection The disease is more common with respiratory tract infection and pneumonia, followed by urinary tract infection, so you should keep the room clean air, temperature and humidity appropriate, avoid cold and prevent cross-infection, assist patients to change position frequently, timely sputum excretion; encourage hydration diuresis.  8.Chemotherapy care Patients should drink more water during chemotherapy, with daily fluid intake of not less than 3000ml, and alkalinize urine, accurately record fluid volume, and maintain water-electrolyte balance.  10.Psychological care Guide patients to express their worries, redouble the love and care, try to ease the patient’s mental pressure, help patients face the reality, get rid of fear, emotional stability.