Purpose
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, and understanding symptom clusters (SCs) among LC patients could improve symptom management. This scoping review provides a comprehensive summary of the most common SCs and their compositions identified in studies specifically investigating SCs of LC patients.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The study included LC patients as participants, SCs as the concept, and studies with distinct aim to investigate LC SCs as the context. We searched studies from inception to September 2022 in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases using the terms: "lung cancer," "cancer survivors, " and "symptom cluster." Results: Of 41 reviewed reports, 188 SCs were identified. Both a priori and de novo method were used to identify LC SCs, with exploratory factor analysis being the most commonly used statistical method in the de novo approach. The three most frequent SCs were respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and psychological SCs. The most common respiratory SC included cough + dyspnea. Nausea + vomiting was the most prevalent cluster membership among GI SCs. Sad + feeling irritable + feeling nervous + worrying was the most common cluster membership among psychological SCs.
Conclusion
Respiratory, GI, and psychological SCs were common among LC patients, and addressing these clusters could improve symptom management strategies. Further research on SCs across the lung cancer trajectory is essential to enhance our understanding about SCs and facilitate effective symptom management throughout the disease course.

Purpose
This article aimed to review and summarize symptom literature to promote a comprehensive understanding of symptom science. Methods: An integrative review was conducted regarding symptom science with a particular focus on cancer symptoms. Results: Nursing theories that lead symptom science were reviewed. The importance of symptom assessment was highlighted. The current status of symptom science related to symptom mechanisms, symptom clusters, symptom management, and symptom outcomes was summarized. Conclusion: Nursing researchers need to develop expertise and facilitate collaborative multidisciplinary research to enhance symptom science. A comprehensive understanding of symptom experience and the application of valid research methodologies can advance symptom science.

Citations

• Symptom Clusters and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  Su-Yeon Hong, Yang-Sook Yoo
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2021; 33(5): 498.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify registered nurses learning needs about physical assessment. Specifically, what are the perceived competency, frequency of skill use and the unmet training needs.
METHODS
The study was an exploratory survey study. The sample was 104 registered nurses. Data were collected through three instruments: The Perceived Competency in Physical Assessment Scale, the Frequency of Physical Assessment Scale, and the Training Needs of Physical Assessment Scale which incorporated 30 core physical assessment skills. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
Auscultation of heart and lung sounds and inspection of the spine were rated by the subjects as physical assessment skills they feel least competent and also were less frequently performed. The most competent area for physical assessment was neurological system. The respiratory and abdominal system was identified as two systems that more education would be needed. Nurses with less than one year of working experience reported needing more training. Nurses with more than five years of clinical work experience performed physical assessment more frequently than nurses with less than five year of work experience. The perceived competency was positively related to the frequency of physical assessment.
CONCLUSION
Continuing education is necessary to further train registered nurses regarding physical assessment skills and the program needs to be focused on the area which nurses are less competent for and have high training need.