Question

Dahlia is a 48-year-old restaurant worker undergoing chemotherapy following a right modified mastectomy. List two (2) or three (3) nursing interventions for each of the side effects she can expect to experience.

1. Leukopenia:
2. Thrombocytopenia:
3. Anemia:
4. Stomatitis:
5. Nausea and vomiting:
6. Alopecia:

Answer 1

Leukopenia - In this condition patient is prone to get infection.So the nursing diagnosis should include

1.Check for the signs and symptoms of infection,like fever,redness ,any abnormal discharge in the surgical site.

2.While doin the procedure follow strict aseptic technique.

3.Strictly restrict the visiters

4.Avoid giving uncooked food to avoid chances of getting infection

5 Follow strict hand hygiene before entering the patient room .

6.make sure the optimal cleanliness of the patient and the room.

7 Administer antibiotics as per the doctors advice

8 Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercise to prevent lung infection such as pneumonia.

Thrombocytopenia.

1.Assess the patient thoroughly for the signs of hematoma and for the signs of bleeding like hematuria

2.Avoid injuries that can take place due to fall or any other cause

3.Educate the patient to follow the necessary things to prvent bleed,like brush with soft brush to avoid gum bleeding,avoid cutting nails etc

4.Dont give any blood thinner to the patient like aspirin to reduce the chance of bleeding

5.Monitor the platelet count as per the doctore advice and transfuse the platelet if it is needed.

6 Avoid doing invasive procedures as much as possible

7.Dont give intra muscular injections

8 If the patient is febrile try to control the temperature as early as possible by doing tepid sponging or by giving antipyretics as per the doctors advice,because the raise in body temperature again could be a reason for the breakdown of the platelet and the platelet count will go down again.

Anemia

1Assess for the signs of anemia like pale skin

2.Assess for the signs and symptoms of anemia like giddiness,breathing difficulty etc to avoid further complications

3 Provide food which is rich in iron like bitter guard,goosberry etc to improve the hemoglobin level.

4 Monitor the hemoglobin level and transfuse the blood product as per the doctors instruction.

Stomatitis

1. Assess the oral cavity for the signs and symtoms of stomatitis

2.Provide oral care to the patient every 4th hourly

3. Eccourage the patient to use antimicrobial mouth wash for the oral care

4.Provide only bland diet  for the patient to avoid discomfort.

Nausea and vomiting

1.provide small frequent feed for the patient

2. Maintain an intake out put chart

3.Check for the signs and symptoms of dehydration.

4 Provide food in good and pleasing ambience

5.Administer intravenous fluid and antiemetics as per the doctors advice

6.Provide liquid diet or soft diet to the patient.

Alopecia

Check for the severity of alopecia

Provide psychological support to the patient

Encourage and help the patient to cope up with the condition

Show other clients as example who had alopecia due to chemotherapy and over come the situation and leading a happy life.