Comparison of perceived symptoms of patients undergoing bone marrow transplant and the nurses caring for them.

This study describes the symptomatology of patients hospitalized for bone marrow transplant (BMT) (n = 30) and compares their perceptions of these symptoms to those of nurses (n = 28). Patients and nurses responded to the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) four times: within 48 hours of BMT day one (T1); day 7-10 post-BMT (T2); day 20-23 post-BMT (T3); and day 30-34 post-BMT (T4). Patients also completed the Profile of Mood States at T1. Each time, the investigators completed a Karnofsky Performance Status evaluation of each patient. Patients perceived significantly more distress from their symptoms at T1 than their nurses perceived that they were experiencing. Over time, patients' SDS scores did not change significantly. However, nurses' SDS scores indicated significant differences, with their SDS scores at T1 less than those at T2 and T3. The results indicate the importance of nurses exploring the perceived symptom experiences of patients undergoing BMT. Any incongruence between nurses' and patients' perceptions potentially could prevent patients' symptoms from being managed effectively.