Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – what nurses need to know, by Marianne Bush BS, RN in Nursing April 2020, vol 50 no. 4 – pp50-54 [doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000657068.67389.47]
Author information: Marianne Bush is an RN contractor for a national wellness company.
Article abstract:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term, often misunderstood disorder that involves the nervous, immune, metabolic, endocrine, and digestive systems. This article describes the pathophysiology of CFS, signs and symptoms of CFS in adults, diagnostic criteria for CFS, and nursing considerations for patients with CFS.
Nursing considerations
Nurses caring for patients with CFS should keep these points in mind:
- Patients may need additional assistance with activities of daily living and take more time to recover from surgery and other medical procedures as well as any kind of emotional or mental stress.
- Nurses should monitor patients for orthostatic intolerance and intervene appropriately; for example, by including standby assist with ambulation in the nursing plan of care.
- Given the lack of standardized conventional treatments, patients may use alternative practitioners and therapies. During medication reconciliation, nurses should specifically inquire about vitamins and other supplements to avoid potential interactions with prescribed medications.
- Remember that many patients with CFS do not look sick and have no outward sign of illness. This does not mean they are not experiencing symptoms. In severe cases, they may be more functionally impaired than those with heart failure, multiple sclerosis, or end-stage renal disease. These patients must not be dismissed because they “look” healthy.
