The issue of skin care in connection with radiotherapy.

This bachelor thesis deals with one of the most frequent complications of patients undergoing radiotherapy. Despite all the progress and development of this treatment, unfortunately, the radiation influences not only the tumour itself but has an effect on surrounding healthy tissue as well. Post-radiational reaction on skin arises. The aim of this thesis is to discover particularities of nursing care of patients with post-radiational changes on skin, to discover practical experience of medical personnel with products for prevention and treatment of post-radiational changes on skin and discover the role of nurses in the issues of skin treatment of patients undergoing the radiotherapy. The thesis is divided in theoretical part and empirical part. The theoretical part deals with types of tumours, diagnostics and treatment, undesirable effects of ionizing radiation and nursing care of patients undergoing the radiotherapy. A qualitative research inquiry was accomplished by means of semi structured interviews in the empirical part. The research sample was intentionally chosen and the criterion for the choice was a nurse working at an oncological inpatient department or at a radiotherapeutic outpatient department. The research group was created by 6 nurses from different medical facilities in the Czech Republic. Four categories and seven subcategories were created while assessing the interviews. The results of the research inquiry show that the most recommended product for preventive skin treatment is a Cavilon spray. It is important to use water-based products instead of oil-based ones. Under the principles of skin treatment, it is most frequently recommended to wear cotton and loose-fitting clothes without laces and shave only with electric razor not with razor blades. Furthermore, the careful hygiene with cold water without using a soap or scented soap is also important. It is important for every medical staff member to approach individually to every patient's needs. One of the main roles of a nurse is the right patient instruction, right evaluation of skin damage and skin reaction treatment. We recommend to lay stress on the prevention in the form of instruction of the patient already before the start of the radioactive treatment