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 different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer. Explain the numeric and Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging of cancer after the confirmed diagnosis.
- 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 what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and support. What ACS services could a nurse recommend for these patients 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 demonstrating the delivery of holistic and patient-focused care.
- How does an interdisciplinary research approach (which includes liberal arts, science studies, mathematics, social and physical sciences), build on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research?
You are required to cite 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.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:
RN-BSN
1.1: 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.
Rubric Criteria
Expand All Rubric Criteria
Expand All
Introduction
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. It is a complex disease that requires a multi-disciplinary approach to manage effectively. Nursing plays a vital role in providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. The nursing process is a systematic approach that guides nurses in identifying patients’ health care needs, developing a plan of care, implementing the plan, and evaluating the patient’s response to the interventions. In this paper, we will describe different diagnostic methods used to identify cancer and the numeric and Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) staging of cancer. We will also discuss three complications of cancer, side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects. Furthermore, we will explore the factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of cancer in Americans. We will explain the education and support provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the services recommended by nurses for cancer patients. We will then discuss how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span, including the five phases of the nursing process. Finally, we will explain how interdisciplinary research builds on foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research.
Diagnostic Methods for Cancer
The diagnosis of cancer involves various diagnostic methods, including imaging tests, laboratory tests, and biopsies. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans, provide detailed images of the body’s internal structures to detect the presence of cancerous cells or tumors. Laboratory tests, including blood tests and tumor marker tests, detect specific substances in the blood that may indicate the presence of cancer. Biopsies involve the removal of a small sample of tissue or cells from the affected area for examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer.
The numeric and Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging of cancer is used to determine the extent of cancer spread in the body. The numeric method involves stages 0 to IV, with stage 0 indicating cancer in situ, and stage IV indicating the cancer has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. The TNM method involves three main components: the size and extent of the primary tumor (T), the involvement of lymph nodes (N), and the presence or absence of distant metastases (M). This method provides more detailed information about the stage of cancer and is useful in planning treatment.
Complications and Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
Cancer and its treatments can cause several complications, including fatigue, pain, anemia, infections, and bleeding. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery can cause several side effects, including nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and skin changes. The psychological effects of cancer and its treatments may include anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence.
Nurses play a crucial role in lessening the physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatments. Patients undergoing cancer treatment may require supportive care to manage their symptoms effectively. Supportive care involves a multidisciplinary approach to managing patients’ physical and psychological symptoms, including pain management, nutritional support, and psychological support. Nurses can also provide education to patients and their families about managing treatment-related side effects.
Factors Contributing to Incidence and Mortality Rates of Cancer in Americans
Several factors contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans. These factors include age, gender, genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. As people age, the risk of developing cancer increases. Men have a higher incidence of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer, while women have a higher incidence of breast and ovarian cancer. Some cancers, such as colon and lung cancer, have a genetic component, while others, such as skin cancer, are linked to environmental factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Lifestyle choices, such