subject: Nurse's General Responsibility In Cancer Treatment [print this page] It is a fact that any cancer treatment will cause side effects to a patient, nurses ought to consider some general nursing care techniques to those undergoing cancer therapies.
Since a cancer treatment such as chemotherapy may damage the blood-forming cells, the patient is instructed regarding special measures to reduce the possibility of infections. The patient should report when the body temperature is more than 37.7C. When this happened, the white blood cell (WBC) count may be low and unable to fight harmful microorganisms effectively. The client should also avoid any injury. As most cancer treatment affect even the normal cells of the different body areas, simple activities of brushing the teeth should be lightly done without damaging the frail tissues. Osteocytes or bone cells may also be damaged by the cancer treatment. So, actions that may injure the bones ought to be avoided.
One of the most common side effects of a cancer treatment is alopecia or hair loss. One responsibility of nurses is to explain such side effects and help patients cope or manage them. In the case of hair loss, males may be suggested to simply try the 'skinhead' type of haircut while the use of scarves, hats or wigs would be helpful ideas to women.
Fatigue is one more typical side effect of any cancer treatment. As dehydration and damage to normal/healthy cells result, the feeling of exhaustion is inevitable. People can simply imagine red blood cells, which carry and distribute oxygen and nutrients to the different body organs, being slowly destroyed as a patient undergoes chemotherapy or radiation cancer treatment. To address such an problem, the patients should conserve their energy and rest on the bed as much as he can.
Nurses should also help the patient to limit or reduce the cancer treatment side effects of nausea and vomiting. It will be beneficial if the nurse can admin the usage of anti-emetic medications, advise patients of small frequent feedings and avoiding eating spicy foods.
Except the treatment, to help patients recover from the debilitating effects of cancer treatment, he is also encouraged to take in immune-stimulating nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Vitamins like A, C and E aid to strengthen the immunologic system. Patients ought to be well hydrated as well. Fluid intake of at least 3,000ml a day is suggested.
Emotional support should not be ignored during the cancer treatment. It should be offered to both the patients and their families. Their questions ought to be answered and they should be encouraged to overcome their doubts and fears.
It is difficult when a patient is going through the cancer treatment. Keeping in mind these general care guidelines would prove to be very helpful to cancer patients.
by: temp002
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
