Nursing Process Approach to Care Cancer Essay

Nursing Process Approach to Care Cancer Essay

Nursing Process Approach to Care Cancer Essay

      The increase of cancer cases and deaths in the recent past has been a negative health outcome that ends up straining healthcare organizations. Cancer may arise when the cellular reproduction process adopts an abnormal trend. Cancer is a disease that occurs from uncoordinated, uncontrolled, and undesired cell division in the body. The cells arising from this abnormal process are tumor cells which are different from the normal body cells (Ghanbari et al., 2020). The increase in the growth of these tumor cells result in the replication of malignant cells. Cancer develops when body cells develop abnormally. The different regions of growth of these cells give rise to different types of cancers such as blood, throat, skin, breast, and many other types of cancer. The purpose of this paper is to address cancers and approach to care based on the utilization of the nursing process.

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Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer

            The growth of the abnormal cells may overcome the growth of normal cells leading to development of cancer into various cancer stages. The cell replication rate in the body would define the level of cancer in a patient. For instance, the early stages of cancer would be described with few malignant cells and a lower body replication rate (Ghanbari et al., 2020). The abnormal cells may metastasize to the lymph nodes through the affected parts. However, it is to be emphasized that not all tumor or malignant cells are cancerous.  

            Cancer can be suspected based on the symptoms evident in the patient, screening results, or from the physical examination. A patient would not feel the pain that might suggest a particular type of cancer unless they are often taking medical checkups and examinations that would reveal their medical conditions over time (Ghanbari et al., 2020). Some patients would realize they have cancer after a long time, and perhaps the cancers might have attained stage 4, where the tumor cells have replicated more than the normal cells in the body.

            The screening tests done on patients aim at detecting the possibility that an infection may occur before its symptoms. These screening tests are not definitive as the results may be confirmed or disapproved. A screening test is the main diagnosis test that many healthcare professionals use, as it can reveal abnormal cell replication in the body (Roth et al., 2021). For instance, the blood screen would reveal the growth of the abnormal cells in a particular part of the body. A physician evaluates the possibility of cancer using imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT), X-rays, and ultrasound.

            The cancer staging process determines how extensive the cancer is in terms of size, growth of surrounding structures, and the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. The staging process aids in designing the most effective treatment that might save a patient. Many healthcare organizations use the TNM staging system to determine the cancer stage. T1, T2, T3, and T4 describe the primary tumor in a patient. The higher the number after T, the larger the tumor size in the body (Roth et al., 2021). A stage zero, abnormal cells are present, but they do not spread to other tissues. Besides, at this stage, there might be the presence of carcinoma, which is not cancer, but it may advance to cancer. Stage I, II, and III describe the presence of cancer with a high number of cancer cells that have spread to other tissues. In stage IV, cancer has spread to various parts of the body.

Complications of Cancer

            Cancer diagnosis puts patients at the risk of various complications such as bone metastasis pain, venous thromboembolism, and hypercalcemia. Bone pain or bone metastasis is a complication arising from cancer and advancing to other body sites (Roth et al., 2021). This complication would lead to morbidity and reduction in the quality of life. Pain is one of the main symptoms of this complication. The types of cancers that are likely to spread to bones are breast, prostate, thyroid, kidney, thyroid, or even lymphoma.  

            On the other hand, hypercalcemia is always common in advanced stages where cancer might have affected 40% of the body. Calcium levels require constant regulation within the body, and small variations can cause adverse morbidity effects (Roth et al., 2021). The local osteolytic hypercalcemia accounts for 20% of hypercalcemia of the bone metastasis and is believed to be resulting of excessing osteoclast activation.

            Venous thromboembolism is the leading cause of death among cancer patients. The complication can be described as deep vein thrombosis, starting from the lower limp to the pulmonary system (Ghanbari et al., 2020). This risk factor complicates the effective management of cancer, and in most cases, it leads to the death of patients because of the stained veins that do not support the effective flow of blood in the body.

            While measures taken to treat cancers at different stages might effectively reduce their adverse impacts on the body, the side effects might be immense. These problems occur when the offered treatment affects the healthy tissues or organs of the patient’s body. Some side effects include loss of appetite, constipation, anemia, delirium, fertility loss in both genders, edema, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and nerve-related problems (Ghanbari et al., 2020).

            Effective management of physical and psychological effects allows these patients to live a quality life while undertaking the treatments. These side effects are hard to avoid. Sometimes the medications are necessary, resulting in retreating to simple life changes like adopting a particular diet and adding a little daily exercise to allow body activity that would lessen some of the side effects (Roth et al., 2021). Effective planning of daily activities among cancer patients is important in reducing fatigue and engaging in positive measures that reduce these treatments’ side effects.

Factors Contributing to the Yearly Incidence and Mortality rates of Various Cancers in Americans

            Cancer is the leading cause of death in the US. Almost 600 people in the US die of cancer each year, and 1.7 million are diagnosed each year. These rates will increase in the future if effective preventive measures are not taken to identify and treat cancer in its early stages. Many types of cancers can be treated or prevented if diagnosed early. The leading risk factors of cancer in the US include smoking, obesity, excessive drinking of alcohol, and too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Jassem, 2019). The increase of these factors in the future would increase the number of people diagnosed with cancer in the US. However, reducing factors like smoking and less consumption of alcohol would reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer yearly.

How the American Cancer Society (ACS) can Provide Education and Support

            ACS has been playing an instrumental role in enlightening the community about cancer and developing preventive measures that allow the community to reduce the risk of contracting cancer. ACS can help in promoting lifestyle changes that help people in preventing cancer. For example, conducting community awareness on the importance of nutrition in reducing cancer risk would allow individuals to learn about the disease (Van Blarigan et al., 2018). A healthy and well-balanced diet that provides adequate nutrition is essential for cancer prevention and treatment. Proper nutrition provides patients with the immunity and the ability to recover between cancer treatments, improving their quality of life.

            Moreover, research indicates that plant-based diets, including fruits and vegetables, help in the reduction of cancer danger as compared with food rich in fat and meat. The plant-based diet has plenty of fiber, especially in fruit and vegetables, that bind with estrogen and lead to excretion. Again, promoting policies that reduce tobacco use in the community, such as creating awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and its impact on the current cases of cancer, would increase caution among smokers (Sinclair et al., 2019). Therefore, services like the introduction of nutrition lessons and supporting health promotion awareness within the selected community would reduce cancer risk factors in the US communities.

Effect of Nursing in Safety Provision and Effective Cancer Care Across the Life Span

            The Healthcare system relies on the input of nurses to offer safe and effective care of cancer. Nurses play a significant role in cancer patients as they devise effective measures supporting cancer treatment (Molassiotis et al., 2021). A holistic approach and patient-focused care have been essential in adopting effective cancer care. Despite cancer’s fatal nature, nurses are obligated to allow patients to meet the desired health quality. Holistic nursing embraces all nursing practices that augment the healing of patients. Holistic nurses are healing instruments which define the entire healing process.

            Holistic nursing relies on four main principles. These principles include self-care, spirituality, self-responsibility, and reflection on their lives (Frisch & Rabinowitsch, 2019). Cancer patients need to learn various self-care management that would effectively reduce the impacts of the disease on their bodies. Self-care strategies like adopting a healthy diet coupled with body exercise are lessons that promote the growth of normal cells while straining the tumor cells in the body. Besides, it improves body immunity that allows the body to self-protect itself from the abnormal cells. Again, spirituality improves the healing process of patients as it supports the spiritual beliefs on the cure and safety of the patient. Allowing the patient believe that through prayer, they would overcome the cancer problem has a positive impact on heightening the healing process (Frisch & Rabinowitsch, 2019). On the other hand, self-responsibility and reflection allow cancer patients to perceive their future and the need to undertake effective measures for health and assume a normal life.   

            These holistic measures have been important in addressing cancer treatments. Many patients diagnosed with cancer always lose the value of life. However, holistic nursing has been instrumental in changing the perception of such patients and allowing them to adopt a better cancer fight (Frisch & Rabinowitsch, 2019). The unity in fighting cancer is one of the important measures that would not only save many cancer patients but also reduce the prevalence of cancer in the future.

Contribution of Undergraduate Education in Liberal Arts and Science Studies Contributes to the Foundation of Nursing Knowledge

            Undergraduate education courses in liberal arts and science widen the thinking of nurses on the communication approach that would be important in eradicating cancer risks in the community. The current effect caused by cancer comes from the reduction of effective awareness of the disease and how it affects the community (Kooken & Kerr, 2018). Nurses equipped with these courses would learn the scientific explanation of cancer risks and adopt an effective communication platform for the target cancer patients and the entire community. Besides, courses in mathematics and physical sciences are effective in researching more about cancer and devising effective treatments. Cancer study is still at its peak where more nurses with mathematical and science backgrounds are needed to bring new development in the studies that would change the current situation.

Conclusion

Cancer arises when particular body cells begin to grow abnormally. Malignant cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells and continue accumulating, forming a lump or mass. Various types of cancer can be identified through screening tests by the mammogram procedure. In addition, identification can be made through ultrasound and biopsy. Holistic nursing is important in addressing cancer disease. Moreover, the recommended diet for cancer patients needs to be well-balanced and more plant-related nutrition with fibers that contain antioxidants and phytochemicals to eliminate malignant cells. Courses such as liberal arts and science are also important to nurses as it trains them in the effective skills to approach cancer treatment. The mathematics and science backgrounds also aid in developing quality research that aids in developing better cancer treatment options and drugs.

References

Frisch, N. C., & Rabinowitsch, D. (2019). What’s in a definition? Holistic nursing, integrative health care, and integrative nursing: report of an integrated literature review. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 37(3), 260-272. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0898010119860685

Ghanbari, B., Kumar, S., & Kumar, R. (2020). A study of behavior for immune and tumor cells in immunogenetic tumor model with non-singular fractional derivative. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 133, 109619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2020.109619

Jassem, J. (2019). Tobacco smoking after a diagnosis of cancer: clinical aspects. Translational lung cancer research, 8(Suppl 1), S50. https://doi.org/10.21037%2Ftlcr.2019.04.01

Kooken, W. C., & Kerr, N. (2018). Blending the liberal arts and nursing: Creating a portrait for the 21st century. Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(1), 60-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2017.07.002

Molassiotis, A., Liu, X. L., & Kwok, S. W. (2021). Impact of advanced nursing practice through nurse‐led clinics in the care of cancer patients: A scoping review. European Journal of Cancer Care, 30(1), e13358. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13358

Roth, P., Winklhofer, S., Müller, A. M., Dummer, R., Mair, M. J., Gramatzki, D., … & Preusser, M. (2021). Neurological complications of cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Treatment Reviews, 97, 102189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2021.102189

Sinclair, J., McCann, M., Sheldon, E., Gordon, I., Brierley-Jones, L., & Copson, E. (2019). The acceptability of addressing alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer: a mixed-method study within breast screening services and symptomatic breast clinics. BMJ Open, 9(6), e027371. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027371

Van Blarigan, E. L., Fuchs, C. S., Niedzwiecki, D., Zhang, S., Saltz, L. B., Mayer, R. J., … & Meyerhardt, J. A. (2018). Association of survival with adherence to the American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors after colon cancer diagnosis: the CALGB 89803/Alliance trial. JAMA Oncology, 4(6), 783-790. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.0126

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Assessment Description
The nursing process is a tool that puts knowledge into practice. By utilizing this systematic problem-solving method, nurses can determine the healthcare 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:
1. Describe the diagnosis and staging of cancer.
2. Describe at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects.
3. Discuss what factors contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans.
4. Explain how the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide education and support. What ACS services would you recommend and why?
5. 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 and demonstrate the delivery of holistic and patient-focused care.
6. Discuss how undergraduate education in liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process. Consider mathematics, social and physical sciences, and science studies as an interdisciplinary research area.
You are required to cite to 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. An abstract is not required.
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.

Criteria Description

Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer

5. Excellent

37.5 points

A detailed description of the diagnosis and staging of cancer presented. The description is informative and well-developed.

4. Good

33.38 points

A description of the diagnosis and staging of cancer is presented. There are very minor inaccuracies. Some detail is needed for clarity.

3. Satisfactory

29.63 points

A general description summarizes the diagnosis and staging of cancer. There are inaccuracies. Some information is needed.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

28.13 points

A partial description summarizes the diagnosis and staging of cancer. There are significant omissions.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

A description of the diagnosis and staging of cancer is omitted.

collapse Complications of Cancer, Side Effects of Treatment, and Methods to Lessen Effects assessment

Complications of Cancer, Side Effects of Treatment, and Methods to Lessen Effects

37.5 points

Criteria Description

Complications of Cancer, Side Effects of Treatment, and Methods to Lessen Physical and Psychological Effects

5. Excellent

37.5 points

Three or more complications of cancer are detailed. The side effects of treatment and methods to lessen the physical and psychological effects are thoroughly described.

4. Good

33.38 points

Three or more complications of cancer are described. The side effects of treatment and methods to lessen the physical and psychological effects are generally described. Some detail is needed for clarity or accuracy.

3. Satisfactory

29.63 points

At least three complications of cancer are generally described. The side effects of treatment and methods to lessen the physical and psychological effects are summarized. There are some inaccuracies.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

28.13 points

Fewer than two complications of cancer are described. The side effects of treatment and methods to lessen the physical and psychological effects are partially presented. There are major inaccuracies.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Three complications of cancer, side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen the physical and psychological effects are omitted.

collapse Factors Contributing to Incident and Mortality Rates of Various Cancers in Americans assessment

Factors Contributing to Incident and Mortality Rates of Various Cancers in Americans

37.5 points

Criteria Description

Factors Contributing to Incident and Mortality Rates of Various Cancers in Americans

5. Excellent

37.5 points

The discussion is accurate, detailed, and presents all significant factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans. Strong rationale and evidence support the discussion.

4. Good

33.38 points

The major factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans are discussed. The discussion provides general rationale or evidence to support the factors presented.

3. Satisfactory

29.63 points

Some key factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans are generally discussed. There are some inaccuracies. The discussion lacks rationale or evidence to support the key factors presented.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

28.13 points

The factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans are partially outlined. Key factors are missing. There are major inaccuracies.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans are omitted.

collapse American Cancer Society (ACS) assessment

American Cancer Society (ACS)

37.5 points

Criteria Description

American Cancer Society (ACS)

5. Excellent

37.5 points

A detailed explanation for how the ACS might provide education and support is presented. The role and function of the ACS are clear and informative. ACS services to be recommended are discussed and rationale is provided for the recommendation.

4. Good

33.38 points

An explanation for how the ACS might provide education and support is presented. The role and function of the ACS are apparent. Some ACS services to be recommended are referenced. Detail is needed for clarity.

3. Satisfactory

29.63 points

A summary for how the ACS might provide education and support is presented. Some additional information is required to fully represent the role and function of the ACS. There are some inaccuracies. General ACS services to be recommended are referenced.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

28.13 points

A partial explanation for how the ACS might provide education and support is presented. Overall, the role and function of the ACS are unclear. There are inaccuracies.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Explanation for how the ACS might provide education and support is omitted.

collapse Utilization of Nursing Process Across the Life Span (B) assessment

Utilization of Nursing Process Across the Life Span (B)

37.5 points

Criteria Description

Utilization of Nursing Process Across the Life Span (C3.1)

5. Excellent

37.5 points

A well-developed explanation of how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span is presented. The explanation clearly describes how the process provides safe and effective care for patients across the life span. Strong rationale or evidence is provided for support. Insight into the nursing process and its utilization to provide safe and effective care for patients across the life span is demonstrated.

4. Good

33.38 points

An explanation of how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span is presented. The explanation generally describes how the process provides safe and effective care for patients across the life span. Some rationale or evidence is needed for support.

3. Satisfactory

29.63 points

A general explanation of how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span is presented. A summary outlines how the process provides safe and effective care for patients across the life span. There are some inaccuracies. Rationale or evidence is needed for support.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

28.13 points

A partial explanation of how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span is presented. Major aspects of the nursing process are omitted from the explanation. It is unclear the process provides safe and effective care for patients across the life span.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Explanation of how the nursing process is utilized to provide safe and effective care for cancer patients across the life span is omitted; or, the explanation fails to accurately represent the nursing process.

collapse Contribution of Liberal Arts and Science Studies to Nursing Knowledge (B) assessment

Contribution of Liberal Arts and Science Studies to Nursing Knowledge (B)

12.5 points

Criteria Description

Contribution of Liberal Arts and Science Studies to Nursing Knowledge (C2.1)

5. Excellent

12.5 points

A thorough discussion on how undergraduate education in the liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is presented. A strong correlation for how undergraduate education contributed to nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is clearly established. Insight into the contribution of liberal arts and science studies to nursing practice is demonstrated.

4. Good

11.13 points

A discussion on how undergraduate education in the liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is presented. A correlation for how undergraduate education contributed to nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is established. Some information or detail is needed for clarity or support.

3. Satisfactory

9.88 points

A general discussion on how undergraduate education in the liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is presented. A general correlation for how undergraduate education contributed to nursing knowledge is established.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.38 points

An incomplete summary on how undergraduate education in the liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is presented. There are significant omissions. It is unclear how undergraduate education contributed.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Discussion on how undergraduate education in the liberal arts and science studies contributes to the foundation of nursing knowledge and prepares nurses to work with patients utilizing the nursing process is omitted.

collapse Thesis Development and Purpose assessment

Thesis Development and Purpose

12.5 points

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

5. Excellent

12.5 points

Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

4. Good

11.13 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.

3. Satisfactory

9.88 points

Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.38 points

Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.

collapse Argument Logic and Construction assessment

Argument Logic and Construction

12.5 points

Criteria Description

Argument Logic and Construction

5. Excellent

12.5 points

Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

4. Good

11.13 points

Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.

3. Satisfactory

9.88 points

Argument is orderly but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.38 points

Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.

collapse Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) assessment

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

12.5 points

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

5. Excellent

12.5 points

Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

4. Good

11.13 points

Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.

3. Satisfactory

9.88 points

Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.38 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.

collapse Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) assessment

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5 points

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5. Excellent

5 points

All format elements are correct.

4. Good

4.45 points

Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style.

3. Satisfactory

3.95 points

Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

3.75 points

Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Template is not used appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.

collapse Documentation of Sources assessment

Documentation of Sources

7.5 points

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)

5. Excellent

7.5 points

Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.

4. Good

6.68 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.

3. Satisfactory

5.93 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

5.63 points

Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Sources are not documented.