Discussions on theDiagnosis and Staging of Cancer
******I asked for a 10 day deadline however the assignment is not due until January 30th and there was no selection for 15 days. If I could get this on or before January 26th that would be great! Thanks.******
Benchmark - Nursing Process: Approach to Care
The nursing process is a tool that puts knowledge into practice. By utilizing this systematic problem-solving method, nurses can determine the health care needs of an individual and provide personalized care.
Write a paper (1,750-2,000 words) on cancer and approach to care based on the utilization of the nursing process. Include the following in your paper:
Describe the diagnosis and staging of cancer.
Describe at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects.
Discuss what factors contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans.
Explain how the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide education and support. What ACS services would you recommend and why?
Explain how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span. Your explanation should include each of the five phases and demonstrate the delivery of holistic and patient-focused care.
Discuss how undergraduate education in liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process. Consider mathematics, social and physical sciences, and science studies as an interdisciplinary research area.
You are required to cite to a minimum of four sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:
RN-BSN
2.1: Incorporate liberal arts and science studies into nursing knowledge.
3.1 Utilize the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the life span.
Case Study
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Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer
Patients with signs and symptoms suspected to be cancer undergo a thorough examination before a final diagnosis is made. Extensive patient history and medical evaluation are essential in diagnosing cancer, and doctors use various approaches in diagnosis, including laboratory tests, imaging tests, physical examination, and biopsy. More than one approach may be employed by doctors depending on the type of cancer. The information obtained is helpful in extensive assessment for functional and physiologic changes.
During a physical examination, the doctor may touch the suspicious areas to check the presence of lumps or organ enlargement. Changes in skin color may also be indicative of cancer. Laboratory tests such as urine and blood tests may be used to check any abnormality. For instance, an increase in white blood cells could indicate malignancy. Doctors recommend various imaging tests to examine internal organs and bones non-invasively. They include computerized tomography (CT) scan, X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A biopsy can be used for a malignancy test whereby a doctor collects a cell sample to be tested in the laboratory. The cells are checked in the laboratory for abnormalities in organization and size.
Various systems are used to describe cancer stages. The TNM system is commonly used as it applies to most types of cancer. T represents the area covered by the primary tumor, while N refers to the lymph nodes affected. M represents the spread level to other areas of the body. Each letter is accompanied by a number that gives more cancer information. The higher the number, the more severe the illness. Grouping the cancers into five stages is another method used in staging. Stage 0 indicates abnormal cells which have not affected the adjacent tissues. Stage 1 to stage 3 indicates that cancer is present—the severity of cancer increases as you ascend from stage 1 to stage 3. Stage 4 means that cancer has affected most body regions (MedlinePlus, 2020). Other terms describing cancer stages include in situ, which means abnormal cells have been detected but have not metastasized to nearby tissues. Localized means the cancer is within the area it originated, with no indication of spreading. Regional indicates that cancer has affected the nearby tissues, organs, and lymph nodes. Distant represents cancer that has spread to outlying body areas from where it originated. Unknown describes the unavailability of adequate information to describe the cancer stage.
Complications of Cancer
Weight loss is a common complication in patients with cancer. Cancer cells multiply fast and compete with normal cells for nutrients. The nutrient-deprived cells prompt the body to break down energy stores through catabolism, resulting in muscle and weight loss (cachexia). Other causes of weight loss in cancer patients include dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and inadequate food intake due to nausea and loss of appetite (American Cancer Society, 2020). Depending on cancer, some patients experience pain due to cancer's type, position, and severity. Pain may hinder individuals from performing their daily duties well. Other effects of pain include trouble sleeping and feeding, irritability, frustrations, and sadness. Although different people have a varying pain threshold, patients in later stages of cancer are more likely to experience pain. Feelings of stress and depression are common among patients with terminal illnesses. Clinical depression makes it hard for cancer patients to follow treatment plans, thus worsening their conditions. Caregivers may also experience depression from constantly worrying about their patients.
Implications of Cancer Treatment.
Some chemotherapy treatments lead to hair loss, a condition known as alopecia. Hair grows back gradually from three months after treatment. Patients who receive chemotherapy are likely to experience a low white blood cell count (neutropenia) because treatment aims to kill fast multiplying cells. Low white blood cell count makes patients vulnerable to infections because their immunity is compromised. Lymphedema may be experienced by patients undergoing radiation therapy or surgery to remove lymph nodes. Lymph fluid builds up in tissues due to blocked or damaged parts of the lymph system, causing swelling (CDC, 2021). Some cancer treatments affect the bone marrow, which may cause anemia. The body, in this case, lacks adequate red blood cells, which may make the patient experience fatigue and dizziness. Chemotherapy drugs may affect women's fertility by causing the ovaries to stop releasing eggs and estrogen. Infertility may resolve after the treatment depending on an individual. Radiation therapy near the abdomen or pelvis can harm nearby reproductive organs, causing infertility. Cancer treatment's other side effects include nausea and vomiting, constipation, delirium, fatigue, fertility issues in men, and fatigue.
Methods to Lessen Physical and Psychological Effects
The use of pain-relieving medications can deal with pain caused by cancer. Patients can deal with stress, depression, and anxiety through counseling therapy, social support groups, and medicine. Patients can reduce fatigue by taking a well-balanced diet, taking plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and establishing regular sleeping routines and naps.
Factors Contributing to Americans' Annual Incidence and Death Rates due to different Cancers
Lifestyle behaviors including smoking, inactivity, poor dietary habits, alcohol use, overweight, and obesity contribute to high cancer incidence and mortality rates. Smoking leads to different cancers, including esophageal, lung, oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, kidney, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. A sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain, linked to cardiovascular diseases and cancer development. Moderate exercises can help reduce the occurrence of various types of cancer. Fast foods, processed meats with high sodium, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats increase cancer cases. T...