Question

Describe cachexia in cancer patients and the student nurse role in managing cachexia

Answer 1

Cachexia is the common symptom of cancer mostly seen in the patient's of cancer of upper gastrointestinal tract including oesophagus, stomach and pancreas. The most common sign of cachexia is drastic weight loss which includes loss of both fatty tissue and muscle mass. Other symptoms includes loss of appetite, no desire to eat, weakness, fatigue , electrolyte imbalance , anemia and the individual is prone to many infections due to low immune system. Patients have difficulty in performing daily activities. It can also cause distress and anxiety among cancer patients and their family member because changes are clearly visible in the body.

Roles of student nurse in managing cachexia are as follows :-

- Nurse should assess the patients who are at risk of altered nutritional intake so that appropriate measures may be taken prior to nutritional decline.

- Nurse indentifies potential threats to the patient's body image experience and the nurse assesses the patient's ability to cope with many assaults to the body image experienced throughout the course of the disease and treatment.

- She should monitor changes in WBC counts as it indicates infection.

- She should also monitor fluid and electrolyte status , arterial blood gas volume, pulse and accordingly IV fluids, blood and vasopressors are administered by the nurse.