Oncology Nursing: Cancer Care and Treatment

• Medical-surgical nursing is a broad nursing specialty
• It cares for adult patients with a variety of medical issues and those recovering from surgery
• It requires a strong understanding of a wide range of conditions
• Focus is on assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care

Oncology Nursing

• Oncology nursing focuses on the care of patients with cancer
• It spans all phases of cancer care, from prevention and early detection to treatment and end-of-life care
• Oncology nurses need expertise in chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and other cancer treatments
• They also provide emotional support to patients and their families
• Key aspects include symptom management, pain control, and preventing complications from cancer treatment
• Focus is on improving quality of life for cancer patients
• Cancer prevention and screening play a significant role in oncology nursing
• Nurses educate the public about risk factors and encourage early detection through screenings
• Common side effects of cancer treatment include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and weakened immune system
• Oncology nurses manage these side effects with medications, lifestyle modifications, and supportive therapies
• Emotional and psychological support is crucial for cancer patients and their families
• Nurses provide counseling, support groups, and resources to help them cope with the challenges of cancer
• End-of-life care is an important part of oncology nursing
• It focuses on providing comfort and dignity to patients in their final days
• Hospice care is often involved in end-of-life care for cancer patients

Poisoning

• Poisoning occurs when a substance interferes with normal body functions after it is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin
• Assessment includes identifying the poison, route of exposure, amount, and time since exposure
• Initial management focuses on stabilizing the patient's vital signs (ABCs - airway, breathing, circulation)
• Activated charcoal is often used to absorb the poison in the gastrointestinal tract
• It is most effective when given within one hour of ingestion
• Gastric lavage (stomach pumping) may be considered for certain poisons if performed soon after ingestion
• Specific antidotes exist for some poisons and should be administered as appropriate
• Common examples include naloxone for opioid overdose and acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose
• Supportive care is essential, including managing symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, and altered mental status
• Prevention strategies include proper storage of medications and household chemicals, and educating the public about poison hazards

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

• ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord
• It leads to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure
• There is no cure for ALS, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life
• Symptoms typically begin with muscle weakness in the limbs, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and muscle cramps or twitching
• As the disease progresses, patients lose the ability to control movement, speak, eat, and breathe
• Diagnosis of ALS is based on clinical evaluation, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography (EMG)
• Riluzole is a medication that may slow the progression of ALS by protecting motor neurons
• Other medications are used to manage symptoms such as muscle cramps, pain, and depression
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy help patients maintain function and independence as long as possible
• Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and communication devices are often needed as the disease progresses
• Respiratory support, including non-invasive ventilation or tracheostomy, may be necessary to manage breathing difficulties
• Nutritional support, such as a feeding tube, may be needed if the patient has difficulty swallowing
• Emotional support and counseling are important for patients and their families to cope with the challenges of ALS
• Palliative care focuses on providing comfort and improving quality of life for patients with ALS

Burn Injuries

• Burn injuries are classified by depth (superficial, partial thickness, full thickness) and extent (percentage of total body surface area or TBSA)
• Superficial burns involve only the epidermis and are characterized by redness and pain
• Partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis
• They are characterized by blisters, redness, and pain
• Full-thickness burns involve the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues
• They are characterized by dry, leathery skin that may be white, brown, or black
• The Rule of Nines is used to estimate the TBSA involved in adults
• In children, the Lund-Browder chart is used for more accurate estimation
• Initial management of burn injuries focuses on stopping the burning process, cooling the burn, and providing pain relief
• Airway management is critical, especially for burns involving the face, neck, or inhalation
• Fluid resuscitation is essential for large burns to prevent hypovolemic shock
• The Parkland formula is commonly used to calculate fluid requirements: 4 mL x % TBSA x body weight (kg)
• Wound care involves cleaning the burn, applying topical antibiotics, and covering the burn with sterile dressings
• Debridement (removal of dead tissue) may be necessary to promote healing
• Skin grafting may be required for large or deep burns
• Pain management is a priority and may involve opioids, non-opioid analgesics, and non-pharmacological techniques
• Nutritional support is important to provide energy and protein for wound healing
• Complications of burn injuries include infection, scarring, contractures, and psychological trauma
• Rehabilitation is an important part of burn care and focuses on restoring function and improving quality of life
• Burn prevention strategies include fire safety education, smoke detectors, and scald prevention measures