This descriptive study was used to identify problems with assessment and documentation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). It was also used to justify implementing a standardized patient questionnaire as part of initial and ongoing patient assessments. A convenient sample of 30 patients was included in this study. At hospital admission or upon arrival at the clinic, patients were randomly selected to answer the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's CIPN20 patient questionnaire.

More than 90% of participants complained of varying degrees of numbness and tingling; 50% complained of symptoms that interfered with activities of daily living. About half of the patients complained of pain associated with their neuropathy. Despite these findings, on the patient questionnaire, only 3 of the patients' charts had nursing documentation supporting the presence of CIPN. Findings supported the need for uniform assessment to assist in managing limitations caused by the development of CIPN.