Cancer Flashcards
End-of-life care, types of cancers
Identify 3 goals of cancer treatment.
- Cure: complete cancer removal
- Control: prolonged survival & containment of cancer cell growth
- Palliation: symptom relief, improve QOL
List examples of primary, secondary, & tertiary prevention of cancer.
- Primary: reduce cancer risk in healthy people - Immunizations, health promotion, risk reduction
- Secondary: screenings
- Tertiary: monitoring & preventing recurrence, screening for second malignancies
Common side effects of chemotherapy & nursing management of those s/e
- N/V, alopecia
- Fatigue, anemia, LOA
- High risk of infection & bleeding
Nursing management:
- Antiemetics
- Monitor for infection & bleeding
- Assess cognition & fatigue
Surgeries & their purpose used in treating & diagnosing cancer
- Biopsy: identify cancer (excisional small, incisional large, needle sample)
- Local excision: remove mass & small part of normal tissue
- Wide excision: remove tumor, lymph nodes, surrounding structures & tissues
- Prophylactic surgery: remove nonvital tissues/organs risk of cancer
- Palliative surgery: improve symptoms, QOL
- Reconstructive surgery
Care for Dry Skin Desquamation
- Use lukewarm water to bathe area
- Apply vitamin A & D ointment
Avoid:
- Lotions, perfumes, soaps, etc.
- Rubbing, scratching, shaving with straight-edged razor
- Hot or cold temperatures
- Tight clothing, adhesive tape
Care for Wet Skin Desquamation
- Report any blistering, no disrupting blisters
- Avoid frequent washing of area
- Use prescribed creams or ointments
- Nonadhesive absorbent dressing (drainage)
- Moisture vapor-permeable dressing like hydrocolloids (without drainage)
- Consult with enterostomal therapist for eschar
NI & Precautions when administering IV chemotherapy
- Monitor for extravasation
- Never give vesicant chemo in peripheral veins like hands or wrist
- Placed on forearm
- Short-duration infusions only
- Frequent, prolonged requires central line
- Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions, toxicity, infection, bleeding
List medications used to increase WBCs (neutrophils).
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors
- Granulocyte-macrophage “ “
(Stimulate bone marrow to produce WBCs, especially neutrophils; reduce neutropenia)
Side effects of Oxaliplatin
- Neurotoxicity exacerbated by cold exposure
- Lip paresthesia
- Discomfort or tightness in back of throat
- Inability to breathe
- Jaw pain
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome & Nursing Management
- Obstruction by tumor or thrombosis in SVC
- Facial & periorbital edema, vein distention (head, neck, chest), seizures, HA
NM:
- Identify those at risk & assess
- Avoid upper extremity BP & IV
- Elevate HOB
Tumor Lysis Syndrome & Nursing Management
- Result of chemotherapy destroying large number of tumor cells
- Hypocalcemia (high phosphate)
- Renal failure d/t kidneys unable to excrete metabolites
- Hallmark signs: hyperuricemia, P, K, Ca (24-48 hrs post chemo)
NM:
- Sodium bicarb for hydration: increase UOP, pH 7-7.5
- Allopurinol inhibits nucleic acids converting to uric acid
- Diuresis, hemodialysis
Hypercalcemia S/Sx & Nursing Management
- Calcium released from bones > kidney excretion or bone reabsorption
- S/Sx: polyuria, polydipsia, nocturia, muscle weakness, hyporeflexia, fatigue, confusion
NM:
- Treat primary disease
- Hydrate with NS
- Diuretics
- Biphosphonates, calcitonin
- Inorganic phosphate salts (neutra-phos)
Infection & Nursing Management
- Common sites: lungs, GI tract, mouth, rectum, peritoneal cavity, blood
NM:
- Monitor WBC, wounds, IVs, sepsis
- Report fever, chills, sweating
- Isolate patient in room, no visitors
- Avoid invasive procedures, dental, sex, douching
- Administer Abx after cultures
Bleeding & Nursing Management/Prevention
- Thrombocytopenia (PLT < 100,000)
NM:
- Monitor PLT lab, educate s/sx (bruises, occult blood, AMS)
- Bleed prevention: soft bristle toothbrush, electric razor, fluids, stool softener
- Avoid invasive/IM/IV 1x day & meds that interfere with clots (aspirin)
- Platelet transfusion (benadryl or hydrocortisone to prevent reaction)
Spinal Cord Compression S/Sx & Nursing Management
- Tumor in epidural space causes pressure & motor/sensory issues
- S/Sx: intense local neck/back pain, motor weakness, paresthesia, change in bowel/bladder function
NM:
- Analgesics
- Assess, prevent immobility
- Chemo/radiotherapy
- ROM, bowel/bladder issues
