Cancer Flashcards
Stages of Cancer development?
Initiation, promotion and progression
Risk factors for Veterans during the Cold War?
Herbicides
Risk factors for Veterans during WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf wars?
radiation, chemicals and paints
Risk factors for Veterans during the Vietnam?
radiation, chemicals and paints, herbicides, agent orange
What is the TNM classification for cancer?
- Tumor size or invasiveness
- Nodes, spread to regional lymph nodes
- Metastasis to distant organ sites
What does IS in tumor classification stand for and mean?
- In Situ
- has not spread
What are the early warning sings of cancer?
(CAUTION)
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body orifice
- Thickening or a lump in breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Obvious change in a wart or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
What are the goals of cancer tx?
cure, control or palliative
What precautions should the nurse implement in the care of a patient undergoing Brachytherapy for cancer and why?
- limit time with the patient, maintain distance, shielding
- because the patient will be emitting low levels of radioactivity
Types of Radiation Therapy?
- External radiation or teletherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Gamma Knife
- Internal radiation –
- brachytherapy uses implanted seeds or ribbons
What is the preferred method of administration for chemotherapy and what is the process of administration?
- thru a central line with the use of a huber needle
- saline, administer, saline, heparin (if ordered)
Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
- Bone marrow suppression
- Fatigue
- GI Effects
- Skin Reactions
- Pulmonary & Cardiovascular
- Nervous System & Cognitive
- Genitourinary Tract issues
Tx for Neutropenia?
- Monitor WBC, especially neutrophils
- May delay chemotherapy
- Administer Neupogen
- Teach : s/s of infection (low-grade fever) and neutropenic emergency
- Prevent infection: flowers, low mircrobial diet
What are the signs of a neutropenic emergency?
≥ 100.4 °F, neutrophil count <500/µL
Chemo GI Effects - Teaching for Stomatitis, Mucositis, Esophagitis?
- Assess mucosa daily
- Avoid hot/spicy foods
- Good oral hygiene
- Topical anesthetics
- Artificial saliva
- Saline rinses, soft toothbrush
- Avoid tobacco/alcohol
Chemo GI Effects - Teaching: N/V
- Eat/drink when no nausea
- Small frequent meals
- Antiemetics before chemo and regularly
- Distraction techniques
- Fluids between meals
- Oral analgesic prior to meals
Chemo GI Effects - Teaching for Anorexia?
- Monitor weight
- Small high protein, high calorie meals
- Serve food in a pleasant environment
Chemo GI Effects - Teaching for Diarrhea
- Antidiarrheals
- low-fiber, low residue diet
- 3L of fluid /day
Chemo GI Effects - Teaching for Constipation
- Stool softeners
- High fiber diet
- ↑ fluids
When does alopecia usually occur with chemo?
1st 4-6 wks
What to assess for with pulmonary complications of chemo?
- Dry hacking cough
- Fever
- Exertional dyspnea
What to assess for with cardiotoxicity complications of chemo?
- ECG
- ejection fraction
What to assess for with Pericarditis/Myocarditis
complications of chemo?
dyspnea
How to treat CNS edema r/t to ICP caused by chemo?
- monitor neuro status
- administer corticosteroids
How to treat peripheral neuropathty r/t to ICP caused by chemo?
neurontin
Genitourinary Tract - Teaching for Hemorrhagic Cystitis?
↑ fluid intake
Genitourinary Tract - Teaching for Reproductive Dysfunction?
- Possible sterility
- Sperm/Ova banking
Genitourinary Tract - Teaching for Nephrotoxicity?
- Monitor BUN/Creat
- Avoid nephrotoxic drugs (NSAIDS, Antibiotics)
Side effects of Immuno and targeted therapy for cancer?
Flu-like symptoms, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, neurologic symptoms, skin rashes
At what temp should the cancer patient contact the MD?
> 100.5 F
Diet for the chemo patient?
- high cal, high protein foods
- nutritional supplements
S/S of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome and Tx?
S/S:Facial edema, Distended neck veins, HA, seizure
TX: Radiation
Causes of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome?
Lung and breast tumors, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
S/S of Spinal Cord Compression and Tx?
S/S: Back pain, change in bowel and bladder function
TX: Radiation and corticosteroids
Tumor locations that can cause spinal cord compression?
Breast, lung, prostate, GI, and renal tumors
S/S and Tx of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)?
S/S: Weight gain without edema, weakness, anorexia, n/v
TX: Fluid restriction, 3% NS infusion
Cancer Cause(s) of SIADH?
lung cancer
S/S of Cardiac Tamponade?
S/S: heavy chest, dyspnea, tachycardia and cough
TX: emergency fluid removal
Psychoneurological symptom cluster seen in chemo/cancer patients?
Depressive symptoms, cognitive disturbance, fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain
Solari-Twadell’s Pinwheel Model of Bereavement emphasizes what?
that grief is cyclical
