Seminars in oncology nursing
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To review the evolution of palliative care in the United States and to define the terms palliative, supportive, and end-of-life care. ⋯ Nurses providing care to patients who are living and dying from advanced cancer should apply palliative interventions from diagnosis until death.
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To review the four sets of symptom clusters commonly seen in patients with advanced illness, and their definitions, associated symptomatology, and management. ⋯ It is important that the nurse providing symptom management for the oncology patient understand the importance of clustering certain symptoms together.
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To provide practical strategies to enhance the quality of communication in the palliative and end-of-life medical care settings. ⋯ Nurses who possess self-awareness and are skilled in effective communication practices are integral to the provision of high-quality palliative care for patients and families coping with advanced malignancies.
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To review the common issues at the end of life across cultures and the measures that can be taken to dress these issues. ⋯ Increased culture-specific knowledge will provide nurses with a basis for beginning exploration of individual or family beliefs.
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To review important issues that address respect for patient autonomy, beneficnce, non-maleficence, and justice, which are included in communication surrounding the determination of decision-making capacity, informed consent, breaking bad news, and creating shared goals of care. ⋯ Advance care planning provides an important opportunity for respecting patient autonomy and may be helpful when discussing care options surrounding resuscitation, withholding or withdrawal of treatment, or the determination of medical futility.