Seminars in oncology nursing
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To provide an overview of access devices and infusion pumps available for pain management. ⋯ Nursing assessment is essential to develop an effective pain management regimen. Because patients are the best source of information about their pain, the nurse is in an excellent position to determine if the placement and use of an access device could be useful in controlling a patient's pain.
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Understanding suffering as a possible meaning of cancer for patients and families is a necessary part of cancer nursing care. This article presents a discussion of suffering as a possible meaning of cancer for patients and family members. Suffering is addressed in the context of its definition as an experience of the whole person. ⋯ The narrative focuses on the man's suffering as he struggles to make meaning of what has happened to him, a struggle that ends with his death. The second part of the article presents eight aphorisms or succinct principles of suffering. Each aphorism is discussed with examples from the case narrative and related literature.
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Pain is a common symptom in cancer and one experienced both by patients and family caregivers. A neglected area of pain management is enhancing the individual's ability to derive the meaning from pain and suffering associated with illness. Because pain is often a metaphor for impending death, the meaning derived from pain may contribute to the ultimate meaning of death for the individual. This article provides case examples and analysis of the search for meaning in cancer pain.
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Progress in cancer surgery and changes in philosophy have resulted in greater numbers of critically ill surgical oncology patients. The effects of cancer and prior exposure to cancer therapies increase the risks for postsurgical problems. Life-threatening cardiopulmonary sequela and patients undergoing liver resections and transplantation are examples of problems that require the knowledge and skill of critical care nurses. Critical care surgical nurses face new challenges by merging their surgical nursing expertise with principles of cancer care.
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The emergence of specialized oncology practices such as bone marrow transplantation has resulted in a higher incidence of critical complications and complex needs, which has led many oncology units to develop new strategies to care for the patients in the oncology unit. Designated oncology intensive care unit (ICU) beds and a dedicated trained staff is one method of delivery; other institutions transfer patients to existing ICUs, and some have equipped the entire oncology unit for critical care interventions. It is necessary to evaluate key issues when providing critical care to patients with cancer.