Question

1. Enumerate types of care to the cancer patient. What is the Nurse Role for this patient?

2. Types of medication given to Patient with acute pain and with chronic pain.

3. List down the Nurse Role in giving medication.

Answer 1

Answer 1:

Cancer is a disease in which cells of body grows in very abnormal ways and make a form of tumour. The oncological care for the cancer patient is decided based on the potential of favourable outcome on case to case basis. Various types of care for cancer patients is described below:

a) Surgical care: Surgical care is performed for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer. Surgery is performed normally when cancer is not spread more, so that it can be removed from the body. The nurse role is to take care of surgical wounds to avoid infection, administering medication.

b) Chemotherapy: In this type of care, the medic treats with the patient with chemo drug which act to reduce the growth and final elimination of cancer cells. The nurse role in this type of care is critical. The nurse has to ensure proper isolation during and after completion of the chemo session and administration of instructed medication.

c) Radiation treatment: In this type of care high energy particles are targeted on the affected body part to destroy malignant cells. This is quite harsh type of treatment and the nurse role is to counsel the patient periodically, administer instructed medication and provide care to the radiation exposed portion.

d) Immunotherapy: This type of therapy targets the cancer cells and makes them located by immune system so that they could be destroyed. This therapy is still in clinical trial stages.

Answer 2:

Cancer is associated with severe pain, which may be acute as well as chronic pain. To treat this pain, the commonly used drugs which are recommended by doctors are opioids. Opioids can be administered by mouth- either in pill or liquid form. It may also be given through skin patches. Some examples of opioids are morphine, fentanyl, methadone etc.

Answer 3:

A Nurse is involved in taking care of patient during treatment. A primary role of nurse comes during the administration of medication. The nurses’ role in this context is multi-faceted. Nurses are involved in dispensing of medication. Nurses are involved in preparation of medication, in activities like measuring the amount of injection, crushing of pills, conducting intravenous administration etc. In light of all these, the nurses’ role is quite important in preventing any misjudgements/errors during the prescribing or dispensing stage of medication.