Nursing Process

Nursing Process

Diagnosis of Cancer

A normal may give results that predict symptoms for Cancer. The diagnosis is usually done via three procedures. Detection of cancer symptoms may be through laboratory tests. The use of the method, the presence of high or low amounts of certain compounds within the body, may signal Cancer. The laboratory tests are conducted through the measurement of blood, urine, and specific body fluids to aid the health practitioner in the detection of cancer symptoms. Indicators of Cancer include tumor markers. As such, the measurement of body fluids involves the determination of the substances. The tumor markers within the body are produced by cancerous cells and certain body cells, reacting to the presence of Cancer. The common forms of laboratory screening tests include; blood chemistry test, cancer gene mutation test, complete blood count test, cytogenetic test, sputum cytology, tumor marker tests, and urinalysis, among others.

Additionally, imaging tests aid in the cancer diagnosis process. The imaging process involves taking photos of the internal body parts of the patient, which enable the doctor to establish the presence or absence of tumors. The photos are obtained in the form of CT scans, MRI, nuclear, x-ray, ultrasound, PET scan, and bone scans. X-rays involve the application of low radiations on the patient body to obtain the tumor pictures. Ultrasounds entail the focus of high incident energy with low sounds is on an individual. The resulting echoes are analyzed to obtain the extent of cancer tissues within the body. CT scans operate almost in a similar way to X-rays. However, the procedure involves the creation of three-dimensional body photos from different angles. Similarly, for nuclear scans, radiations are utilized in the formation of body images.  The form of scanning also comprises of bone scans, a special case, whereby abnormalities within the patient’s bones are analyzed.

Cancer testing through biopsy is also common. The procedure involves the removal of the patient body tissue sample for microscopic observation. Similarly, the extracted tissue is analyzed using other tests to establish the presence or absence of cancer cells. After the microscopic investigation, a report on the result is generated by the medical professional, and, consequently, the report is utilized in the formulation of the appropriate treatment plan. The biopsy process involves the use of needles in the extraction of the samples, and also endoscopes to study the internal body tissues. Further, in some cases, surgeries may be required in the removal of the affected cells. To alleviate excessive pain, other forms that involve the use of sedatives and anesthesia are used.

Staging

The process of cancer staging involves a careful analysis of nature and the level of spread of the abnormal cells within the body. The staging of the disease is operated under a TNM classification system (Brierley, 2016). According to the convention, the T category describes the level of the tumor within the body in the form of the size, and the effect on the nearby body structures. The N category gives the nature of the regional lymph nodes metastasis. Further, the M category indicates the spread of distant metastasis. As such, the TNM classification is utilized after cancer testing to help in the treatment and management of the condition.

The details obtained from the staging process is crucial to the health professionals as it plays a vital role in the treatment and prognosis of Cancer. Further, since individuals within the same cancer stages display almost similar conditions, cancer staging enables doctors in the design of a common treatment plan. Through staging, the practitioners have similar information regarding the patient’s condition, and consequently, the treatment process is enhanced.

The two forms of staging are clinical staging and pathological staging. The former involves the establishment of a conclusion on the extent of the spread of the abnormal cells within the body through physical examinations. The different types of testing conducted in the form of staging include x-rays, blood tests, and biopsies. In pathological staging, surgical intervention is applied to determine the extent of the spread of cancer tissues. In the procedure, the information obtained from the imaging and blood tests is used collaboratively with the surgical reports to establish the extent of Cancer. This form of staging provides accurate findings for the treatment and prognosis process.

Complications of Cancer

Cancer rates within the nation are on the rise. As such, the negatives effects that arise with the spread of the disease and treatment are also on the increase. Among the common forms of complications of Cancer include skin cancer, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer.

Skin Cancer

It is the most common form of cancer in the United States. There are three forms of skin cancer; Melanoma, basal cell, and carcinoma. The first type is the most difficult to control, and as a result, has resulted in most deaths in the nation. Frequent exposure to ultraviolet light is the major predisposing factor to the skin cancer forms.

Side Effects of treatment

The treatment of skin cancer is usually accompanied by severe pain to the patients. The removal of cancerous cells may also result in the removal of a large part of the patient skin through surgical procedures. Further, the management of Melanoma also results in certain forms of reconstructive surgery, depending on the location of the tumor markers. The surgical procedures for individuals suffering from Cancer may also result in body marks in the form of scars. Other forms of skin cancer therapies may also result in the occurrence of skin lesions and the emergence of lesser forms of Cancer such as carcinoma.

Methods to lessen the Effects

In the management of rashes, which may result from the chemotherapy treatment plan, the doctors may prescribe skin creams, which may be applied to the affected areas. Further, to manage the condition, oral antibiotics may also be provided to the cancer patient. Chemotherapy also causes dry skin. The condition can be managed using creams that add moisture to the skin. Further, the patients should be discouraged from the use of products that may cause irritation to the skin.

Thyroid Cancer

The form of cancer is common in older individuals. The most common form of this type is papillary thyroid cancer. The cancer type manifests in the affected individuals through the occurrence of lumps on the neck. Thyroid cancer is commonly detected through MRI scans and x-ray examinations.

Side Effects of Treatment

Since the treatment of the condition usually requires the application of surgical procedures, the aftermath condition requires the patients to use drugs that will restore the lost hormones from the thyroid glands. Further, the use of drugs to regulate the hormonal levels may result in increased heart rates and weight loss among the patients. Treatment of thyroid cancer through radioactive procedures also leads to complications such as nausea and neck swelling. In some cases, radioactive treatment procedures may also cause infertility among male patients. The use of chemotherapy for treatment causes hair loss, nausea, and fatigue, among other effects.

Methods to Lessen Effects

To manage nausea and loss of appetite, the cancer patients need to take adequate body fluids to manage hormonal balance. Further, individuals need to drink plenty of water and take adequate rest to avoid dry mouth and fatigue. Since chemotherapy causes hair loss, lack of appetite, among other effects, the cancer patients need to observe medications as indicated by the health practitioners.

Breast Cancer

The form of Cancer usually attacks the breast cells, and, while it occurs in both males and females, the cancer type is prevalent in the latter. The management of cancer patients mainly involves the use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical procedures (Sun et al., 2017). The treatment of breast cancer may result in adverse effects on patients.

Side Effects of Treatment

Common forms of side effects include loss of appetite, fatigue, weight gain, bleeding, and hair loss, among others. As such medical interventions and other forms of interventions are required in the management of the condition.

Methods to Lessen Effects

Effects that result in loss of appetite may be alleviated through the intake of a balanced diet. Patients who experience nausea should seek medical advice from the doctor.

Factors promoting Cancer in the United States

Efforts have been made by the state and federal governments to combat the spread of cancer in the nation. However, the fight has been slowed down by a number of risk factors. The risk factors include smoking, excessive body weight, excessive alcohol intake, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, exposure to ultraviolet light, and infections.

Cigarette smoking in the US is common among both males and females. Similarly, smoking is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country. The form accounts for close to 29% of the mortalities (Lavdaniti, 2017). Cigarette smoking is mostly associated with lung and breast cancer. Further poor nutrition, lack of physical exercise, and excessive alcohol intake also contribute to cancer deaths, especially among women. While there has been an increase in the number of Americans practicing fitness, the number is still low, and as such, obesity is still common. As such, the three factors contribute significantly to cancer mortality rates.

Further, infections also contribute to the spread of Cancer. Disease resulting from poor sanitation, and poor living conditions contribute to 3% of the cancer cases. UV radiations are responsible for the spread of skin cancer. In fact, approximately 95% of all melanoma cancers are caused by exposure to radiation. Hence, it can be established that the risk factors account for close to half of cancer deaths, as such preventive measures must be formulated for the management process.

How American Cancer Society may provide support

The American Cancer Society can provide support to cancer patients through the allocation of more budget for the purchase of treatment equipment. Further, the organization should establish more community-based programs, which most parts of the nation. To enhance education on the management measures of cancer, society should provide educational support to academic institutions for the scientific research process. Such investments will provide newer information on the risk factors of cancer, the management policies, and the ultimate cure for the disease. Similarly, education will be crucial in the adoption of positive lifestyles by citizens.

Nursing Process in the Care of Cancer Patients

The nursing processes are utilized by nursing practitioners for the provision of medical assistance on a personal level. The process is implemented in phases. The elements include; assessment, evaluation, planning, diagnosis, and implementation (Toney-Butler, 2019). In the application of the assessment process, all the crucial aspects should be considered to enable a detailed process. Some of the major aspects of assessments include; rest, hygiene, proper nutrition, and patient learning requirements. For patients who undergo surgery, diagnosis is important since early identification of the patient’s critical needs enhances recovery. The diagnosis process involves making proper decisions for patient care. The diagnosis helps in making preferences towards the patient’s needs.

In planning, the objectives which directly affect the patient care process are made. The plans are important as they facilitate the overall communication within the healthcare system and also addresses the specific patient challenges. In the implementation stage, the actual activities, which aid patient care, are conducted. The last component of the process that is responsible for positive patient results is evaluation. The step ensures that the initial objectives of the care program are met.

Importance of Liberal Arts and Sciences

As a result of the dynamic nature of the nursing field enhances by advance research in health, there exists a strong correlation between discipline and fields such as liberal arts and sciences. Liberal arts and sciences form the foundation of the educational aspect of nursing (Kooken, 2018). Through the fields, desirable skills such as critical thinking, holistic care, and innovation are instilled into the nursing professionals. Further, in recent times, sciences have greatly contributed to the nursing field. The liberal arts are responsible for the sharpening of communication and decision-making skills of nurses. Studies also indicate that the arts sharpen the human aspect of the practitioners. As such, the interdisciplinary relationship plays a vital role in equipping nurses with the ability to implement, and consequently to tackle the essential patient-care challenges.

References

Brierley, J., Gospodarowicz, M., & O’Sullivan, B. (2016). The principles of cancer staging. Ecancermedicalscience, 10.

Kooken, W. C., & Kerr, N. (2018). Blending the liberal arts and nursing: Creating a portrait for the 21st century. Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(1), 60-64.

Lavdaniti, M. (2017). Holistic Nursing Approach to Patients with Cancer. J Nurs Care, 6, e136.

Sun, Y. S., Zhao, Z., Yang, Z. N., Xu, F., Lu, H. J., Zhu, Z. Y., & Zhu, H. P. (2017). Risk factors and preventions of breast cancer. International journal of biological sciences, 13(11), 1387.

Toney-Butler, T. J., & Unison-Pace, W. J. (2019). Nursing Admission Assessment and Examination. In StatPearls [Internet]. Stat Pearls Publishing.