Question

Module 11 Discussion - Reflection

Initial Post

Describe how you achieved each course competency including at least one example of new knowledge gained related to that competency.

Describe how this new knowledge will impact your nursing practice.

Course Competencies

1. Explain principles of care for clients with oncological disorders.
2. Identify components of safe and effective nursing care for clients experiencing fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
3. Describe strategies for safe, effective multidimensional nursing care for clients with acid-base imbalances.
4. Select appropriate nursing interventions for clients with upper gastrointestinal disorders.
5. Select appropriate nursing interventions for clients with lower gastrointestinal disorders.
6. Evaluate responses to nursing interventions for clients with endocrine disorders.vv

Answer 1

1.

The main focus in oncological disorders or to simply put it, Cancer patients is to completely eliminate the cancer cells. This can be achieved in the earlier stages of Cancer through Surgery or a mixture of Treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

If it can't be completely eradicated, The doctors try to shrink it or reduce it as much as possible to comfort the patient and ease their pain, and also to prolong their life.

Some of the factors on which the type of treatment depends are:

• The Chance of a cure
• Prolonging life and easing the pain
• Which treatment can lessen the symptoms
• Side effects
• Patient's needs

All these factors can be carefully monitored through tests and CT scans to check any relapse of cancer cells in the bloodstream. This can help a patient receive proper treatment and maybe get rid of cancer as well.

2.

• Input and Output: The nurse should carefully monitor I/O of fluids every 8 hours and every hour depending on the severity of the case.
• Weight: Daily weight gain or loss should be registered which can help in diagnosing if the treatment is working properly or If there are any side effects.
• Vital Signs: Such as BP, Heart Rate, and Oxygen level should be monitored closely.
• Physical exam: To determine the data about fluid or electrolyte imbalance.

3.

The acid-base imbalance is an anomaly of the human body’s normal balance of acids and bases that causes the pH to deviate out of the normal range (7.35 to 7.45).

Some of the problems that come along with this imbalance are Hyperventilation, Hypoxia, Fever, etc.

Symptoms include Convulsions, inability to concentrate, Lightheadedness, Muscle twitching, etc.

Nursing management that can help a patient recover from chemical imbalance are:

• Keeping the patient as dry and warm as possible
• Monitor vital signs
• encourage the patient to take slow, deep breaths and if possible have them breathe into a brown bag.
• Sedation needs to be administered which relaxes the patient.
• Safety measures to be administered for patients suffering from vertigo and unconsciousness.

4.

Nausea and vomiting are the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Though they seem like two different problems however they are treated as one disorder. Nausea is the feeling of discomfort in the epigastrium with a desire to vomit and vomiting is the ejection of partially digested food and secretions.

The nursing duty is to check for fluid deficiency. The prolonged inability to ingest, digest or absorb foods and fluids can be found by decreased urine output and increased urine concentration which can lead to severe disorders like high pulse rate, hypotension, decreased intake, etc.

The Patient's goal here is to achieve normal fluid and electrolyte balance.

5.

Irritable bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder of the Gastrointestinal entity. Stress, Caffeine, or sensitivity to certain foods like dairy products can also trigger IBS. It is also believed to be caused due to hypersensitivity of the bowel wall.  

Some of the symptoms include Diarrohea, abdominal pain and bloating, and also Constipation.

• Nursing care includes giving Antidiarrheals and monitoring its effectiveness, should be effective within 48 hrs.
• Antiflatulents: Has a defoaming option and helps disperse the gas. This drug helps from bloating and discomfort.

6.

Endocrine glands secrete products called hormones, which are chemical messengers that send stimulatory or inhibitory signals to target cells as a result of a feedback mechanism. Once secreted, hormones usually remain present in the body for 4 to 6 hours.

Symptoms include Weight loss or gain, increased fatigue, tiredness, Anxiety, Hypotension, Diarrhea and numbness.

Nursing care includes assessing patients for clinical findings of hypoglycemia and side effects of medications

• Instruct client to use proper medication administration procedure
• Adhere to dietary program, including snacks
• Avoid alcohol, especially when taking metformin
• Perform  (SMBG) .