Lung Cancer Nursing Care Plan & Management

Notes

Description
  • Also called bronchogenic cancer.
  • It is a malignant tumor of the lung arising within the bronchial wall or epithelium.
  • Bronchogenic cancer is classified according to cell type: epidermoid (squamous cell – most common), adenocarcinoma, small cell (oat cell) carcinoma, and large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma.
  • The lung is also a common site of metastasis from cancer elsewhere in the body through venous circulation or lymphatic spread.
  • The primary predisposing factor in lung cancer is cigarette smoking.
  • Lung cancer risk is also high in people occupationally exposed to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, nickel, iron, radioactive substances, isopropyl oil, coal tar products, and petroleum oil mists.
  • Complications include superior vena cava syndrome, hypercalcemia (from bone metastasis), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), pleural effusion, pneumonia, brain metastasis, and spinal cord compression.

lung cancer

Risk Factors

Modifiable
  • Approximately 80% of lung cancers are related to cigarette smoking. Lung cancer is 10 times more common in smokers than in nonsmokers. In particular,squamous cell and small cell carcinoma are associated with smoking
  • Other risk factors include exposure to carcinogenic industrial and air pollutants—such as asbestos,coal dust,radon,and arsenic
Non-modifiable
  • Family history
Assessment
  • New or changing cough, dyspnea, wheezing, excessive sputum production, hemoptysis, chest pain (aching, poorly localized), malaise, fever, weight loss, fatigue, or anorexia.
  • Decreased breath sounds, wheezing, and possible pleural friction rub (with pleural effusion) on examination.
Diagnostic Evaluation
  • Chest X-ray may be suspicious for mass; CT or position emission tomography scan will be better visualize tumor.
  • Sputum and pleural fluid samples for cytologic examination may show malignant cells.
  • Fiberoptic bronchoscopy determines the location and extent of the tumor and may be used to obtain a biopsy specimen.
  • Lymph node biopsy and mediastinoscopy may be ordered to establish lymphatic spread and help plan treatment.
  • Pulmonary function test, which may be combined with a split-function perfusion scan, determines if the patient will have adequate pulmonary reserve to withstand surgical procedure.
Primary Nursing Diagnosis
  • Ineffective airway clearance related to obstruction caused by secretions or tumor
Medical Management
  • Oxygen through nasal cannula based on level of dyspnea.
  • Enteral or total parenteral nutrition for malnourished patient who is unable or unwilling to eat.
  • Removal of the pleural fluid (by thoracentesis or tube thoracostomy) and instillation of sclerosing agent to obliterate pleural space and fluid recurrence.
  • Radiation therapy in combination with other methods.
Surgical Intervention
  • Resection of tumor, lobe, or lung.
Pharmacologic Intervention
  • Expectorants and antimicrobial agents to relieve dyspnea and infection.
  • Analgesics given regularly to maintain pain at tolerable level. Titrate dosages to achieve pain control.
  • Chemotherapy using cisplatin in combination with a variety of other agents and immunotherapy treatments may be indicated.

Lung-cancer-treatment

Nursing Intervention
  • Elevate the head of the bed to ease the work of breathing and to prevent fluid collection in upper body (from superior vena cava syndrome).
  • Teach breathing retraining exercises to increase diaphragmatic excursion and reduce work of breathing.
  • Augment the patient’s ability to cough effectively by splinting the patient’s chest manually.
  • Instruct the patient to inspire fully and cough two to three times in one breath.
  • Provide humidifier or vaporizer to provide moisture to loosen secretions.
  • Teach relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety associated with dyspnea. Allow the severely dyspneic patient to sleep in reclining chair.
  • Encourage the patient to conserve energy by decreasing activities.
  • Ensure adequate protein intake such as milk, eggs, oral nutritional supplements; and chicken, fowl, and fish if other treatments are not tolerated – to promote healing and prevent edema.
  • Advise the patient to eat small amounts of high-calorie and high-protein foods frequently, rather than three daily meals.
  • Suggest eating the major meal in the morning if rapid satiety is the problem.
  • Change the diet consistency to soft or liquid if patient has esophagitis from radiation therapy.
  • Consider alternative pain control methods, such as biofeedback and relaxation methods, to increase the patient’s sense of control.
  • Teach the patient to use prescribed medications as needed for pain without being overly concerned about addiction.
Documentation Guidelines
  • Physical findings:Adequacy of airway and breathing; vital signs; heart and lung sounds; pain (nature, location,duration,and intensity); intake and output
  • Complications:Pneumonia,hypoxia,infection,dehydration, poor wound healing
  • Response to interventions:Response to pain medication
  • Response to treatment:Chest tube drainage; wound healing; condition of skin following radiation; side effects from chemotherapy
Discharge and Home Healthcare Guidelines

Teach the patient to recognize the signs and symptoms of infection at the incision site, including redness, warmth, swelling, and drainage. Explain the need to contact the physician immediately. Be sure the patient understands any medication prescribed, including dosage, route,action,and side effects. Provide the patient with the names,addresses,and phone numbers of support groups, such as the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the local hospice, the Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support & Education (ALCASE), and the Visiting Nurses Association. Teach the patient how to maximize her or his respiratory effort.

 

 


Sources:
Nursingcrib.com
Marilyn Sawyer Sommers, RN, PhD, FAAN , Susan A. Johnson, RN, PhD, Theresa A. Beery, PhD, RN , DISEASES AND DISORDERS A Nursing Therapeutics Manual, 2007 3rd ed

 

Exam

Welcome to your MSN Exam for Lung Cancer! This exam is carefully curated to help you consolidate your knowledge and gain deeper understanding on the topic.

 

Exam Details

  • Number of Questions: 25 items
  • Mode: Practice Mode

Exam Instructions

  1. Practice Mode: This mode aims to facilitate effective learning and review.
  2. Instant Feedback: After each question, the correct answer along with an explanation will be revealed. This is to help you understand the reasoning behind the correct answer, helping to reinforce your learning.
  3. Time Limit: There is no time limit for this exam. Take your time to understand each question and the corresponding choices.

Tips For Success

  • Read each question carefully. Take your time and don't rush.
  • Understand the rationale behind each answer. This will not only help you during this exam, but also assist in reinforcing your learning.
  • Don't be discouraged by incorrect answers. Use them as an opportunity to learn and improve.
  • Take breaks if you need them. It's not a race, and your understanding is what's most important.
  • Keep a positive attitude and believe in your ability to succeed.

Remember, this exam is not just a test of your knowledge, but also an opportunity to enhance your understanding and skills. Enjoy the learning journey!

 

Click 'Start Exam' when you're ready to begin. Best of luck!

💡 Hint

This chemotherapy method targets a specific type of lung cancer characterized by larger, more localized tumors.

1 / 25

1. Nurse Kelly is discussing treatment options with Ms. Roberts, a patient diagnosed with lung cancer. She mentions intratumoral chemotherapy and its specific uses. For which condition is intratumoral chemotherapy typically utilized?

💡 Hint

Consider the reality of chemotherapy side effects and the importance of providing accurate information to the patient.

2 / 25

2. Nurse Taylor is providing care for Mrs. Lopez, who is undergoing chemotherapy in conjunction with surgery for lung cancer. Which special nursing consideration is not appropriate for patients receiving chemotherapy?

💡 Hint

Consider the type of lung cancer frequently observed in long-term smokers.

3 / 25

3. Nurse Thomas is providing education to Mr. Greene, a 55-year-old patient recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He explains the different types of lung cancer and their associations. Which type of lung cancer is most consistently linked to a history of smoking?

💡 Hint

Think about the most prevalent cause of cancer mortality worldwide.

4 / 25

4. Nurse Angela is conducting a health education session on cancer awareness. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the status of lung cancer?

💡 Hint

Consider how this technique can identify early-stage cancerous changes that are not yet visible as tumors.

5 / 25

5. Nurse Susan is explaining advanced diagnostic procedures to Mr. Li, a patient scheduled for a bronchoscopy. She describes autofluorescence bronchoscopy and its purpose. What does an autofluorescence bronchoscopy do?

💡 Hint

Think about the type of lung cancer that is most frequently diagnosed, particularly among non-smokers and women.

6 / 25

6. Nurse Riley is educating Ms. Parker, a 62-year-old patient recently diagnosed with lung cancer, about the different types of lung cancer and their prevalence. Which type of lung cancer is the most common?

💡 Hint

Think about the diverse applications of interventional pulmonology beyond just lung cancer, particularly in evaluating respiratory symptoms.

7 / 25

7. Nurse Hernandez is discussing interventional pulmonology with a group of nursing students during a lecture. She asks them to identify the accurate statement about this specialized field. Which statement is correct regarding interventional pulmonology?

💡 Hint

Focus on which medical device or condition could potentially interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI machine, posing a risk to the patient.

8 / 25

8. Nurse Roberts is preparing a patient for an MRI scan due to suspected lung cancer. She reviews the patient's medical history to identify any potential contraindications for the MRI procedure. Which of the following would be a contraindication for proceeding with the MRI?

💡 Hint

Consider the type of lung cancer that is both aggressive and more likely to be found in the outer regions of the lung, without a specific histological differentiation.

9 / 25

9. During a teaching seminar on lung cancer, Nurse Thompson is describing different types of lung cancer to her students. She focuses on one type known for its rapid growth and tendency to develop in the peripheral areas of the lungs. Which type of lung cancer is Nurse Thompson explaining?

💡 Hint

Consider anatomical limitations that could restrict the scope's ability to navigate through the lung.

10 / 25

10. Nurse Thompson is explaining to Mr. Harris why bronchoscopes sometimes cannot reach tumors within the lung. What is the most common reason for this limitation?

💡 Hint

Consider starting with understanding the level of information the husband already possesses.

11 / 25

11. Nurse Davis is caring for Mrs. Lee, a patient recently admitted with lung cancer. Her husband approaches Nurse Davis to inquire about his wife's condition. How should Nurse Davis respond to his request?

💡 Hint

Consider which cancer has a high mortality rate due to its aggressive nature and late detection, often overshadowing other types in fatality rates.

12 / 25

12. Nurse Allen is conducting an educational session for Jane, a 37-year-old patient with uterine cancer, who inquires about the most prevalent and deadliest cancers among women. After discussing the most common type, breast cancer, Jane then asks which type causes the most deaths. How should Nurse Allen respond?

💡 Hint

Focus on the symptoms that involve specific neurological changes on one side of the face.

13 / 25

13. Nurse Smith is assessing a patient with lung cancer who has developed Horner’s syndrome due to tumor invasion affecting the sympathetic nerve ganglia. Which signs and symptoms should Nurse Smith look for?

💡 Hint

Consider the symptom that involves a noticeable change in a common respiratory condition for smokers.

14 / 25

14. Nurse Williams is leading an education session for a group of smokers in a "stop smoking" class. She discusses common symptoms of lung cancer. Which symptom should Nurse Williams highlight as a common sign of lung cancer?

💡 Hint

Think about the condition that would cause decreased oxygen levels and respiratory depression.

15 / 25

15. Nurse Thompson, a home health nurse, is visiting Mrs. Williams, a home care client with advanced lung cancer. During her assessment, Nurse Thompson notices that Mrs. Williams is wheezing, has a bradycardic heart rate, and a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. These symptoms are indicative of which condition?

💡 Hint

Choose the diagnostic imaging option that covers all relevant areas where metastases might occur given the symptoms and initial findings, ensuring a thorough evaluation.

16 / 25

16. Nurse Mitchell reviews the case of a 65-year-old woman with a chronic cough and recent complaints of right leg pain. A recent chest x-ray revealed a spiculated mass in the right middle lobe and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, raising concerns for metastatic disease. Considering these symptoms and findings, Nurse Mitchell considers the best approach for further diagnostic imaging to assess for potential metastasis. Which imaging strategy should Nurse Mitchell recommend?

💡 Hint

Consider the advanced technology involved in this procedure that enhances accuracy and access to specific lung areas.

17 / 25

17. Nurse Jordan is explaining to a patient, Mr. Lee, who is scheduled for a navigational bronchoscopy. She outlines the procedure and its benefits to help ease Mr. Lee's concerns. What is one of the primary benefits of a navigational bronchoscopy?

💡 Hint

Focus on the type of lung cancer that is more common in non-smokers as well as smokers and tends to occur in the peripheral parts of the lung.

18 / 25

18. Nurse Davis is discussing lung cancer types with a group of nursing students during a clinical teaching session. She asks them to identify the most prevalent type of lung cancer affecting both men and women. Which type of lung cancer does Nurse Davis point out as the most common?

💡 Hint

Focus on measures that ensure the patient's safety and comfort during this critical stage.

19 / 25

19. Nurse Alvarez is caring for Mr. Thompson, a patient in the terminal stages of lung cancer who has started to lose consciousness. What should be Nurse Alvarez’s primary concern at this stage?

💡 Hint

The recommended screening test for lung cancer, especially for heavy smokers or those with a long history of smoking, focuses on detailed imaging with low radiation exposure.

20 / 25

20. Nurse Evans is conducting a routine examination for Mrs. Thompson, a 60-year-old woman who is concerned about her lung cancer risk due to a long history of smoking one pack of cigarettes a day since she was 18. Mrs. Thompson inquires about appropriate screening tests for lung cancer. Which statement should Nurse Evans provide?

💡 Hint

Think about the procedure that combines imaging and the ability to perform biopsies for accurate tumor staging.

21 / 25

21. Nurse Harper is explaining various diagnostic tools to Mr. Jackson, a patient scheduled for an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). What does an Endobronchial Ultrasound help do, and how does it work?

💡 Hint

Think about the type of cancer with the highest mortality rate among middle-aged to older men.

22 / 25

22. Nurse Miller is discussing common types of cancer with Mr. Evans, a 58-year-old patient concerned about his health risks. She explains which cancer is the most common and deadly for males in their fifth to seventh decades of life. Which cancer is Nurse Miller referring to?

💡 Hint

Identify the statement that indicates a potential risk for increased bleeding, considering the patient's thrombocytopenia and medication.

23 / 25

23. Nurse Taylor is taking the admission history of a 66-year-old patient undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer who has been admitted with thrombocytopenia. During the conversation, the patient makes several statements. Which statement should Nurse Taylor find most concerning?

💡 Hint

Consider the widely known major risk factor for lung cancer and its overwhelming contribution to the disease.

24 / 25

24. Nurse Carter is educating a community group about lung cancer prevention. During the session, she discusses various risk factors and mentions the significant impact of smoking. She asks the attendees to guess what percentage of lung cancer cases are attributed to smoking.

💡 Hint

Focus on a potential side effect of opioids that could pose a serious risk to the client's well-being.

25 / 25

25. Nurse Daniels is supervising a student nurse who is caring for a client with lung cancer. The client has just received 10 mg of oxycodone orally for pain management. Which observation by the student nurse should be reported to Nurse Daniels immediately?

Nursing Care Plan

Nursing Diagnosis

Impaired Gas Exchange

May be related to
  • Removal of lung tissue
  • Altered oxygen supply (hypoventilation)
  • Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of blood (blood loss)
Possibly evidenced by
  • Dyspnea
  • Restlessness/changes in mentation
  • Hypoxemia and hypercapnia
  • Cyanosis
Desired Outcomes
  • Demonstrate improved ventilation and adequate oxygenation of tissues by ABGs within patient’s normal range.
  • Be free of symptoms of respiratory distress.
Nursing Interventions
  • Note respiratory rate, depth, and ease of respirations. Observe for use of accessory muscles, pursed-lip breathing, changes in skin or mucous membrane color, pallor, cyanosis.
    • Rationale: Respirations may be increased as a result of pain or as an initial compensatory mechanism to accommodate for loss of lung tissue; however, increased work of breathing and cyanosis may indicate increasing oxygen consumption and energy expenditures and/or reduced respiratory reserve.
  • Auscultate lungs for air movement and abnormal breath sounds.
    • Rationale: Consolidation and lack of air movement on operative side are normal in the pneumonectomy patient; however, the lobectomy patient should demonstrate normal airflow in remaining lobes.
  • Investigate restlessness and changes in mentation or level of consciousness.
    • Rationale: May indicate increased hypoxia or complications such as mediastinal shift in pneumonectomy patient when accompanied by tachypnea, tachycardia, and tracheal deviation.
  • Assess patient response to activity. Encourage rest periods and limit activities to patient tolerance.
    • Rationale: Increased oxygen consumption demand and stress of surgery can result in increased dyspnea and changes in vital signs with activity; however, early mobilization is desired to help prevent pulmonary complications and to obtain and maintain respiratory and circulatory efficiency. Adequate rest balanced with activity can prevent respiratory compromise.
  • Note development of fever.
    • Rationale: Fever within the first 24 hr after surgery is frequently due to atelectasis. Temperature elevation within the 5th to 10th postoperative day usually indicates a wound or systemic.
  • Maintain patent airway by positioning, suctioning, use of airway adjuncts.
    • Rationale: Airway obstruction impedes ventilation, impairing gas exchange.
  • Reposition frequently, placing patient in sitting positions and supine to side positions.
    • Rationale: Maximizes lung expansion and drainage of secretions.
  • Avoid positioning patient with a pneumonectomy on the operative side; instead, favor the “good lung down” position.
    • Rationale: Research shows that positioning patients following lung surgery with their “good lung down” maximizes oxygenation by using gravity to enhance blood flow to the healthy lung, thus creating the best possible match between ventilation and perfusion.
  • Encourage and assist with deep-breathing exercises and pursed-lip breathing as appropriate.
    • Rationale: Promotes maximal ventilation and oxygenation and reduces or prevents atelectasis.
  • Maintain patency of chest drainage system for lobectomy, segmental or wedge resection patient.
    • Rationale: Drains fluid from pleural cavity to promote re-expansion of remaining lung segments.
  • Note changes in amount or type of chest tube drainage.
    • Rationale: Bloody drainage should decrease in amount and change to a more serous composition as recovery progresses. A sudden increase in amount of bloody drainage or return to frank bleeding suggests thoracic bleeding or hemothorax; sudden cessation suggests blockage of tube, requiring further evaluation and intervention.
  • Observe presence or degree of bubbling in water-seal chamber.
    • Rationale: Air leaks immediately postoperative are not uncommon, especially following lobectomy or segmental resection; however, this should diminish as healing progresses. Prolonged or new leaks require evaluation to identify problems in patient versus the drainage system.
  • Administer supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula, partial rebreathing mask, or high-humidity face mask, as indicated.
    • Rationale: Maximizes available oxygen, especially while ventilation is reduced because of anesthetic, depression, or pain, and during period of compensatory physiological shift of circulation to remaining functional alveolar units.
  • Assist with and encourage use of incentive spirometer.
    • Rationale: Prevents or reduces atelectasis and promotes re-expansion of small airways.
  • Monitor and graph ABGs, pulse oximetry readings. Note hemoglobin (Hb) levels.
    • Rationale: Decreasing Pao2 or increasing Paco2 may indicate need for ventilatory support. Significant blood loss can result in decreased oxygen-carrying capacity, reducing Pao2.

Nursing Diagnosis

Ineffective Airway Clearance

May be related to
  • Increased amount/viscosity of secretions
  • Restricted chest movement/pain
  • Fatigue/weakness
Possibly evidenced by
  • Changes in rate/depth of respiration
  • Abnormal breath sounds
  • Ineffective cough
  • Dyspnea
Desired Outcomes
  • Demonstrate patent airway, with fluid secretions easily expectorated, clear breath sounds, and noiseless respirations.
Nursing Interventions
  • Auscultate chest for character of breath sounds and presence of secretions.
    • Rationale: Noisy respirations, rhonchi, and wheezes are indicative of retained secretions and/or airway obstruction.
  • Assist patient and instruct in effective deep breathing and coughing with upright position (sitting) and splinting of incision.
    • Rationale: Upright position favors maximal lung expansion, and splinting improves force of cough effort to mobilize and remove secretions. Splinting may be done by nurse (placing hands anteriorly and posteriorly over chest wall) and by patient (with pillows) as strength improves.
  • Observe amount and character of sputum or aspirated secretions. Investigate changes as indicated.
    • Rationale: Increased amounts of colorless, blood-streaked, or watery secretions are normal initially and should decrease as recovery progresses. Presence of thick or tenacious, bloody, or purulent sputum suggests development of secondary problems (dehydration, pulmonary edema, local hemorrhage, or infection) that require correction and treatment.
  • Suction if cough is weak or breath sounds not cleared by cough effort. Avoid deep endotracheal or nasotracheal suctioning in pneumonectomy patient if possible. Suction the patient as needed, and encourage to begin deep breathing and coughing as soon as possible.
    • Rationale: “Routine” suctioning increases risk of hypoxemia and mucosal damage. Deep tracheal suctioning is generally contraindicated following pneumonectomy to reduce the risk of rupture of the bronchial stump suture line. If suctioning is unavoidable, it should be done gently and only to induce effective coughing.
  • Encourage oral fluid intake (at least 2500 mL/day) within cardiac tolerance.
    • Rationale: Adequate hydration aids in keeping secretions loose or enhances expectoration.
  • Assess for pain or discomfort and medicate on a routine basis and before breathing exercises.
    • Rationale: Encourages patient to move, cough more effectively, and breathe more deeply to prevent respiratory insufficiency.
  • Assist with incentive spirometer, postural drainage  and percussion as indicated.
    • Rationale: Improves lung expansion or ventilation and facilitates removal of secretions. Postural drainage may be contraindicated in some patients and in any event must be performed cautiously to prevent respiratory embarrassment and incisional discomfort.
  • Use humidified oxygen and/or ultrasonic nebulizer. Provide additional fluids via IV as indicated.
    • Rationale: Providing maximal hydration helps loosen or liquefy secretions to promote expectoration. Impaired oral intake necessitates IV supplementation to maintain hydration.
  • Administer bronchodilators, expectorants, and/or analgesics as indicated.
    • Rationale: Relieves bronchospasm to improve airflow. Expectorants increase mucus production and liquefy and reduce viscosity of secretions, facilitating removal. Alleviation of chest discomfort promotes cooperation with breathing exercises and enhances effectiveness of respiratory therapies.

Nursing Diagnosis

Acute Pain

May be related to
  • Surgical incision, tissue trauma, and disruption of intercostal nerves
  • Presence of chest tube(s)
  • Cancer invasion of pleura, chest wall
Possibly evidenced by
  • Verbal reports of discomfort
  • Guarding of affected area
  • Distraction behaviors, e.g., restlessness
  • Narrowed focus (withdrawal)
  • Changes in BP, heart/respiratory rate
Desired Outcomes
  • Report pain relieved/controlled.
  • Appear relaxed and sleep/rest appropriately.
  • Participate in desired/needed activities.
Nursing Interventions
  • Ask patient about pain. Determine pain characteristics: continuous, aching, stabbing, burning. Have patient rate intensity on a 0–10 scale.
    • Rationale: Helpful in evaluating cancer-related pain symptoms, which may involve viscera, nerve, or bone tissue. Use of rating scale aids patient in assessing level of pain and provides tool for evaluating effectiveness of analgesics, enhancing patient control of pain.
  • Assess patient’s verbal and nonverbal pain cues.
    • Rationale: Discrepancy between verbal and/or nonverbal cues may provide clues to degree of pain, need for or effectiveness of interventions.
  • Note possible pathophysiological and psychological causes of pain.
    • Rationale: Fear, distress, anxiety, and grief over confirmed diagnosis of cancer can impair ability to cope. In addition, a posterolateral incision is more uncomfortable for patient than an anterolateral incision. The presence of chest tubes can greatly increase discomfort.
  • Evaluate effectiveness of pain control. Encourage sufficient medication to manage pain; change medication or time span as appropriate.
    • Rationale: Pain perception and pain relief are subjective, thus pain management is best left to patient’s discretion. If patient is unable to provide input, the nurse should observe physiological and nonverbal signs of pain and administer medications on a regular basis.
  • Encourage verbalization of feelings about the pain.
    • Rationale: Fears or concerns can increase muscle tension and lower threshold of pain perception.
  • Provide comfort measures: frequent changes of position, back rubs, support with pillows. Encourage use of relaxation techniques, visualization, guided imagery, and appropriate diversional activities.
    • Rationale: Promotes relaxation and redirects attention. Relieves discomfort and augments therapeutic effects of analgesia.
  • Schedule rest periods, provide quiet environment.
    • Rationale: Decreases fatigue and conserves energy, enhancing coping abilities.
  • Assist with self-care activities, breathing and/or arm exercises, and ambulation.
    • Rationale: Prevents undue fatigue and incisional strain. Encouragement and physical assistance and support may be needed for some time before patient is able or confident enough to perform these activities because of pain or fear of pain.
  • Assist with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) or analgesia through epidural catheter. Administer intermittent analgesics routinely as indicated, especially 45–60 min before respiratory treatments, deep-breathing or coughing exercises.
    • Rationale: Maintaining a constant drug level avoids cyclic periods of pain, aids in muscle healing, and improves respiratory function and emotional comfort and coping.

Nursing Diagnosis

Fear/Anxiety

May be related to
  • Situational crises
  • Threat to/change in health status
  • Perceived threat of death
Possibly evidenced by
  • Withdrawal
  • Apprehension
  • Anger
  • Increased pain, sympathetic stimulation
  • Expressions of denial, shock, guilt, insomnia
Desired Outcomes
  • Acknowledge and discuss fears/concerns.
  • Demonstrate appropriate range of feelings and appear relaxed/resting appropriately.
  • Verbalize accurate knowledge of situation.
  • Report beginning use of individually appropriate coping strategies.
Nursing Interventions
  • Evaluate patient/SO level of understanding of diagnosis.
    • Rationale: Patient and SO are hearing and assimilating new information that includes changes in self-image and lifestyle. Understanding perceptions of those involved sets the tone for individualizing care and provides information necessary for choosing appropriate interventions.
  • Acknowledge reality of patient’s fears or concerns and encourage expression of feelings.
    • Rationale: Support may enable patient to begin exploring and dealing with the reality of cancer and its treatment. Patient may need time to identify feelings and even more time to begin to express them.
  • Provide opportunity for questions and answer them honestly. Be sure that patient and care providers have the.same understanding of terms used.
    • Rationale: Establishes trust and reduces misperceptions and/or misinterpretation of information
  • Accept, but do not reinforce, patient’s denial of the situation.
    • Rationale: When extreme denial or anxiety is interfering with progress of recovery, the issues facing patient need to be explained and resolutions explored.
  • Note comments or behaviors indicative of beginning acceptance and/or use of effective strategies to deal with situation.
    • Rationale: Fear and/or anxiety will diminish as patient begins to accept or deal positively with reality. Indicator of patient’s readiness to accept responsibility for participation in recovery and to “resume life.”
  • Involve patient/SO in care planning. Provide time to prepare for events or treatments.
    • Rationale: May help restore some feeling of control or independence to patient who feels powerless in dealing with diagnosis and treatment.
  • Provide for patient’s physical comfort.
    • Rationale: It is difficult to deal with emotional issues when experiencing extreme or persistent physical discomfort.

Nursing Diagnosis

Knowledge Deficient

May be related to
  • Lack of exposure, unfamiliarity with information/resources
  • Information misinterpretation
  • Lack of recall
Possibly evidenced by
  • Statements of concern; request for information
  • Inadequate follow-through of instruction
  • Inappropriate or exaggerated behaviors, e.g., hysterical, hostile, agitated, apathetic
Desired Outcomes
  • Verbalize understanding of ramifications of diagnosis, prognosis, possible complications.
  • Participate in learning process.
  • Verbalize understanding of therapeutic regimen.
  • Correctly perform necessary procedures and explain reasons for the actions.
  • Initiate necessary lifestyle changes.
Nursing Interventions
  • Discuss diagnosis, current and/or planned therapies, and expected outcomes.
    • Rationale: Provides individually specific information, creating knowledge base for subsequent learning regarding home management. Radiation or chemotherapy may follow surgical intervention, and information is essential to enable the patient or SO to make informed decisions.
  • Reinforce surgeon’s explanation of particular surgical procedure, providing diagram as appropriate. Incorporate this information into discussion about short or long-term recovery expectations.
    • Rationale: Length of rehabilitation and prognosis depend on type of surgical procedure, preoperative physical condition, and duration or degree of complications.
  • Discuss necessity of planning for follow-up care before discharge.
    • Rationale: Follow-up assessment of respiratory status and general health is imperative to assure optimal recovery. Also provides opportunity to readdress concerns/ questions at a less stressful time.
  • Identify signs and symptoms requiring medical evaluations, e.g., changes in appearance of incision, development of respiratory difficulty, fever, increased chest pain, changes in appearance of sputum.
    • Rationale: Early detection and timely intervention may prevent/ minimize complications.
  • Help patient determine activity tolerance and set goals.
    • Rationale: Weakness and fatigue should decrease as lung(s) heals and respiratory function improves during recovery period, especially if cancer was completely removed. If cancer is advanced, it is emotionally helpful for patient to be able to set realistic activity goals to achieve optimal independence.
Provide appropriate care before surgery:
  • If patient is to undergo surgery, supplement or reinforce the information given by the healthcare team about the disease and the surgical procedure.
    • Rationale: Can help allay anxiety and provides an opportunity to discuss fears or concerns.
  • Explain expected postoperative procedures, such as insertion of an indwelling catheter, use of an endotracheal tube or chest tube, dressing changes, and IV therapy.
    • Rationale: Health teaching is more effective before surgery, when the patient is conscious and aware.
  • Teach patient how to perform deep breathing, coughing, and ROM exercises.
    • Rationale: Helpful in immediately maximizing lung volume after surgery.
  • Evaluate availability or adequacy of support system(s) and necessity for assistance in self-care or home management.
    • Rationale: General weakness and activity limitations may reduce individual’s ability to meet own needs.
  • Recommend alternating rest periods with activity and light tasks with heavy tasks. Stress avoidance of heavy lifting, isometric or strenuous upper body exercise. Reinforce physician’s time limitations about lifting.
    • Rationale: Generalized weakness and fatigue are usual in the early recovery period but should diminish as respiratory function improves and healing progresses. Rest and sleep enhance coping abilities, reduce nervousness (common in this phase),and promote healing. Strenuous use of arms can place undue stress on incision because chest muscles may be weaker than normal for 3–6 months following surgery.
  • Recommend stopping any activity that causes undue fatigue or increased shortness of breath.
    • Rationale: Exhaustion aggravates respiratory insufficiency.
  • Encourage inspection of incisions. Review expectations for healing with patient.
    • Rationale: Healing begins immediately, but complete healing takes time. As healing progresses, incision lines may appear dry, with crusty scabs. Underlying tissue may look bruised and feel tense, warm, and lumpy (resolving hematoma).
  • Instruct patient or SO to watch for and report places in incision that do not heal or reopening of healed incision, any drainage (bloody or purulent), localized area of swelling with redness or increased pain that is hot to touch.
    • Rationale: Signs and symptoms indicating failure to heal, development of complications requiring further medical evaluation or intervention.
  • Suggest wearing soft cotton shirts and loose-fitting clothing, cover or pad portion of incision as indicated, leave incision open to air as much as possible.
    • Rationale: Reduces suture line irritation and pressure from clothing. Leaving incisions open to air promotes healing process and may reduce risk of infection.
  • Shower in warm water, washing incision gently. Avoid tub baths until approved by physician.
    • Rationale: Keeps incision clean, promotes circulation or healing. Climbing out of tub requires use of arms and pectoral muscles, which can put undue stress on incision.
  • Support incision with Steri-Strips as needed when sutures or staples are removed.
    • Rationale: Aids in maintaining approximation of wound edges to promote healing.
  • Provide rationale for arm and shoulder exercises. Have patient/SO demonstrate exercises. Encourage following graded increase in number and/or intensity of routine repetitions.
    • Rationale: Simple arm circles and lifting arms over the head or out to the affected side are initiated on the first or second postoperative day to restore normal range of motion (ROM) of shoulder and to prevent ankylosis of the affected shoulder.
  • Stress importance of avoiding exposure to smoke, air pollution, and contact with individuals with URIs.
    • Rationale: Protects lung(s) from irritation and reduces risk of infection.
  • Review nutritional and/or fluid needs. Suggest increasing protein and use of high-calorie snacks as appropriate.
    • Rationale: Meeting cellular energy requirements and maintaining good circulating volume for tissue perfusion facilitate tissue regeneration or healing process.
  • Identify individually appropriate community resources.
    • Rationale: Agencies such as these offer a broad range of services that can be tailored to provide support and meet individual needs.
OTHER NURSING DIAGNOSES
  • Airway Clearance, ineffective—increased amount/viscosity of secretions, restricted chest movement/pain, fatigue/weakness.
  • Pain, acute—surgical incision, tissue trauma, disruption of intercostal nerves, presence of distress/anxiety.
  • Self-Care deficit—decreased strength/endurance, presence of pain, intolerance to activity, depression, presence of therapeutic devices, e.g., IV lines.