Cancer general Flashcards
process to control cellular growth, replication, and differentiation
cellular regulation
cells that are abnormal, do not serve a purpose, and are harmful to normal tissue
cancer/malignant cells
3 causes of problems associated with cancer?
- cancer itself
- treatment
- combo
General problems of metastatic cancer
- Reduced blood producing function
- Altered GI function
- Peripheral nerve, motor and sensory deficits
- Decreased respiratory and cardiac function
Goals of cancer management (2)
- Cure or control cancer
* Minimize side effects of treatment(s)
Cancer management is dependent on what things
- Type, location, size and extent of cancer
* Health of person
Different types of treatment for cancer
-Surgery
-Radiation **
-Chemotherapy **
-Immunotherapy
-Small Molecular Inhibitor Targeted Therapy
-Hormone Therapy
(** Where we will focus our time, you will be expected to understand)
3 biggest nursing priorities related to blood with cancer?
- Reduced WBC’s > Impaired Immunity > Risk of Infection
- Reduced RBC’s > Poor Perfusion > Fatigue/ Breathing
- Reduced Platelets > Poor Clotting > Risk of Bleeding
what is mylosuppression?
-Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells AND ALSO
• Kills Healthy Blood Cells
• Suppresses Bone Marrow Function (no replacement)
>Less RBC’s, WBC’s (especially neutrophils), Platelets
low wbc =
neutropenia
ANC < _____ = neutropenia
-ANC is < 1000 cells/mm3
what kind of infections do you get if you are neutropenic?
overgrowth of normal flora (Opportunistic Infections)
interventions for preventing/ treating infections
-Infection Prevention • Hand Washing • Neutropenic Precautions -Nurse-Led Protocols -Obtain Cultures -Diagnostics -Antibiotic Administration -Antibiotic Stewardship: giving a person the right antibiotic when they need it and only when they need it as early as possible ---> Prevent Sepsis/ Recognize early sepsis
what is antibiotic stewardship?
giving a person the right antibiotic when they need it and only when they need it as early as possible
general rule for when to implement neutropenic precautions?
For ANC <500 cells/mm3 or < 1000 cells/mm3 w/fever
neutropenic precautions interventions @ hospital (@ home comes later)
- Private Room
- Wash Hands/ Educate
- Avoid shared supplies
- Monitor VS’s, Temperature, WBC’s
- Inspect Mouth, Skin, Mucous membranes, Line sites
- Coughing, Deep Breathing
- Hygiene
- Activity/ Rest
- Limit visitors
- Asepsis
- No fresh flowers/ plants
- No raw vegetables, fruits, undercooked meat/ pepper
- No use of indwelling catheters
- Remove stagnant water
HOME CARE • Hand-washing • Daily baths/ Antimicrobial soap • Avoid Crowds • Avoid sharing personal items • Wash dishes well/ don’t re-use drinking cups • Monitor temperature • Diet restrictions • Pet litter avoid • Use Condoms
re neutropenia: report what changes to provider?
- Skin
- Mucous membranes
- Cough
- Central Line Site- drainage/ redness
- Fever- systemic
- Drainage
another word for low platelets
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia puts you at risk for
BLEEDING
spontaneous vs prolonged bleeding
- Prolonged bleeding=If platelets are < 50,000 platelets/mm3
* Spontaneous bleeding may occur - IV site, GI bleed =If platelets are < 20,000 platelets/mm3
biggest concern with risk of spontaneous bleeding?
spontaneous bleeding in brain –> neuro assessments
platelets <20,000
thrombocytopenia assessment findings
- Neurological assessments
- Spontaneous bleeding
- Petechiae
- Excessive bruising in lower back/flank
- Prolonged bleeding- hold central pulling line out is risk –> hold extra pressure or not pull out
- Blood in urine and stool
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension