Chapter 28: Cancer Flashcards
Cancer is the __ leading cause of death in persons aged 65 or older.
second
Most dramatic incidence/prevalence of cancer increases in ___ ___.
increases in older age
3 roles of the Gero nurse:
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
The nurse should encourage ___, such as breast exams, etc for prevention.
screening
Cancer can cause an increased risk of __, __, and __.
complications, disability, and death.
Two major theories of the incidence of cancer in older adults:
Biological age-related changes that impair the ability to resist diseases
Prolonged exposure to carcinogens over the years
What is the biggest risk factor for cancer?
smoking
Many cancers can be prevented by healthy lifestyle practices that minimize risks such as:
- Avoid the use of & exposure to tobacco products
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Limit exposure to the sun
- Eat a diet rich in fiber, fruits, & vegetables
- Maintain weight within an ideal range
- Protect against exposure to known carcinogens
If your family has a history of cancer, you should discuss ___ with your doctor.
chemoprevention
The use of drugs or other agents to inhibit the development or progression of malignant changes in cells.
Chemoprevention
Early detection of cancer can improve ___.
prognosis
Plan of treatment depends on the __ __ __.
type of cancer
4 types of treatment for cancer:
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, & biologic therapy.
Those with choleric diseases, chemotherapy can cause permanent damage to ____
organs
What is CAM:
Complementary and alternative medicine
What are some examples of CAM:
Special diets, psychotherapy, spiritual practices, vitamin supplements, & herbal remedies
You don’t want to just treat the disease, but also you want to ___
care for the whole person
CAM practitioners offer what 5 things:
Relationship-centered care Support Healing partnerships Comfort Hope
When providing patient education to an older adult with cancer you should focus on what 3 points?
- increase awareness of measures that can prevent cancer
- understanding of warning signs of cancer
- self-examination instruction
C in caution:
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A in caution:
A sore that does not heal
U in caution:
Unusual bleeding or drainage
T in caution:
Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
I in caution:
Indigestion or swallowing difficulty
O in caution:
Obvious change in a wart or mole
N in caution:
Nagging persistent cough or hoarseness
If you have any of the symptoms on the CAUTiON mnemonic, then that is _____.
concerning for cancer.
When promoting optimum care for the older adult with cancer you want to focus on what 4 things?
- choice of treatment facility
- clinical trials through the Nation Cancer Institute (NCI)
- care after radiation and chemotherapy
- knowledge of common age-related risk factors
Nurses also want to prevent __ and improve __ __ __.
complications
quality of life
Nurses need to be knowledgeable about certain types of ___.
cancer
Assure patients that pain can be managed by:
Regularly assessing for pain & developing plans for prevention/management
When you’re supporting patients and families with cancer, you may provide support because of:
(4)
- diagnosis may be overwhelming
- fear
- cost of treatment
- change in future plans and pursuits
When you are assessing patient & family understandings, you want to clarify __ and offer __.
misconceptions
explanations
You always want to allow expression of ___.
feelings
