Benchmark – Assignment; Nursing Process: Approach to Care Essay

Benchmark – Assignment; Nursing Process: Approach to Care Essay

Benchmark – Nursing Process: Approach to Care Sample Essay

Nurses utilize different tools and approaches to ensure care meets patient needs. Besides the regular assessment and treatment of patients with varying conditions, nurses should understand the resources available for patients, support, and continuous care strategies for optimizing healing. The nursing process is among the widely used tools for personalized care. Since it is a problem-solving approach, it can be effectively applied in cancer management. For better outcomes, nurses should understand cancer causes, treatment, staging, and other essentials. The purpose of this paper is to explore cancer and the approach to care based on the utilization of the nursing process.

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Diagnostic Methods and Staging

Cancer care is complex, and the disease affects individuals and families multi-dimensionally. As a result, health care providers must ascertain the presence of cancer in a patient before confirming it to the patient. Diagnosis establishes whether systems suggesting cancer are due to cancer or other causes (National Cancer Institute, 2023). Different diagnostic methods can be utilized to identify the possibility of cancer. They include lab tests, imaging, and biopsies. Common lab tests include blood chemistry tests, complete blood counts, and cytogenetic analysis. Depending on the cancer stage, type, and cause, changes in the functioning of vital body organs and chromosomes may indicate cancer.

Imaging tests visualize the presence of cancer. Health care practitioners use them to identify tumors and their locations. They include a CT scan, MRI, bone scan, and ultrasound. The scans and imaging create 3-D images of body organs, helping to show specific locations of tumors (National Cancer Institute, 2023). A biopsy can also help to ascertain that a patient has cancer. During this test, a specialist samples an abnormal tissue and runs multiple tests on its cells. A biopsy report also recommends a treatment that might work best for the patient.

Cancer stages can be classified numerically or using the Tumor, Mode, Metastasized (TNM) method. The numbering system has stages 0-4; stage 1 cancer indicates small cancer that has not spread anywhere else. Stage 2 cancer has grown but not spread, while stage 3 indicates larger cancer that is also present in surrounding tissues or lymph nodes (National Cancer Institute, 2023). Stage 4 cancer is also known as metastatic, implying that it has spread to at least one other body organ. In the TNM method, T is used to describe the size of a tumor while N represents the lymph nodes, and M stands for metastases. In this case, N1-N3 indicates the extent of cancer spread in lymph nodes, while M1 indicates distant metastasis (American College of Surgeons, 2023). Numbers and letters may vary with the cancer type.

Complications, Side Effects, and Lessening Impacts

Cancer complications vary with management methods, lifestyles, comorbidities, and other factors. Pain is among the leading complications of cancer since some treatments are painful. Treatment approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation may cause fatigue. Besides, the disease and its treatment usually cause weight loss, whose extent varies with the type and amount of food a patient consumes. Many patients experience nausea, which is common when taking multiple medications.

Cancer treatments have numerous side effects, denoting that they damage healthy cells. The side effects vary with patients and treatment modalities. Hair loss is common for patients receiving chemotherapy, although the hair regrows shortly after the treatment ends (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2022). Cancer treatments also affect the stomach, causing vomiting/nausea. The mental pressure is massive and intensifies when taking pain management medications. As a result, some patients may have concentration and memory problems, often called chemo brain (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2022). If not effectively managed, chemo brain may hamper a person’s ability to engage in activities of daily living.

The multilayered nature of the complications and side effects necessitates a similar approach to lessen physical and psychological impacts. An effective way to handle the hair loss problem is to use a cooling cap to keep the scalp cold during chemotherapy (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2022). Patients may also shave before the treatment or wear a wig or a hat. Some medicines can help to control nausea/vomiting. Water and relaxation techniques also help to manage nausea. Concerning concentration/memory problems, patients should get adequate sleep and avoid multitasking. Others cope with the problem by taking notes of their daily activities, solving puzzles, and reading.

Factors Contributing to Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in Americans

Causes and risk factors of cancer vary among individuals and communities. Among Americans, sun exposure and tanning beds are the leading causes of skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (2023), skin cancer is the most common in the United States since about 9,500 cases are diagnosed daily. The incidence is higher among women than men. While analyzing the causes of melanoma, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (2022) reported that increased exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds is the leading cause. As a result, sun protection behaviors can help to reduce the incidence.

The other major factor influencing cancer and cancer-related deaths is obesity. Experimental and clinical evidence shows a positive link between excess body weight and increased risk for cancer. Avgerinos et al. (2019) found that being overweight and obese is the genesis of approximately thirteen types of cancer. Ovarian, colorectal, and esophageal cancers are linked with obesity. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (2022) reported that body changes such as long-lasting inflammation and high insulin levels lead to cancer. These body changes are experienced among overweight and obese people, implying that the risk for cancer is high since many U.S. adults are obese.

Excessive alcoholism and infectious diseases are other leading factors for high cancer incidence and mortality in the United States. Excessive alcohol use, including binge and heavy drinking, increases the risk of breast, colon, and liver cancers (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2022). Since alcoholism is rampant in the United States, a huge proportion is at high risk for cancer. Concerning infectious diseases, Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes vagina, vulva, and oropharynx cancers (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2022). There is also a positive link between hepatitis B and C with liver cancer. The positive link underlines the importance of continued awareness and vaccination for HPV and hepatitis.

Education and Support for Cancer Patients

Effective cancer management requires a combination of various interventions. Education enhances health literacy, while support is crucial for coping (Katsaros et al., 2022). Due to their positive impact on patients and the recovery process, the American Cancer Society (ACS) should provide educational materials for cancer patients. These materials include handouts, brochures, and training guides. Priority information areas include coping mechanisms, strategies for living with cancer, and mental and emotional support sources. The ACS should also develop patient-centered mobile apps to educate patients and connect them with the appropriate support.

Besides education and support, a nurse can recommend other services for patients. An appropriate service that can positively impact patient lives is community-based programs. These programs should comprise social support, screening for other illnesses, and helping patients to adjust lifestyles as situations necessitate. The ACS can also be involved in policymaking and advocacy for equitable community design. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (2022) reported that cancer patients need adequate sidewalks and parks to engage in active and convenient physical activities. Therefore, the ACS can advocate for equitable community design to ensure adequate physical activity parks for cancer patients.

Utilizing the Nursing Process to Provide Safe and Effective Care

Cancer patients require effective and patient-focused care. To achieve the best care outcomes, health care professionals should ensure that patient care is tailored according to patient needs. The nursing process provides a stepwise approach to delivering holistic and patient-focused care. Developed by Ida Jean Orlando in 1958, the nursing process begins with the assessment step, which entails subjective and objective data collection (Werezak, 2022). Here, the health care professionals collect verbal statements from the patient and vital signs that guide decision-making, such as height and weight. Nurses should embrace critical thinking during the assessment to get adequate and relevant data possible.

The second step of the nursing process is diagnosis. In this step, nurses and other health care professionals employ clinical judgment to help plan and implement patient care. Toney-Butler and Thayer (2022) stressed the importance of a nursing diagnosis in care planning since it allows the nurse to prioritize and plan care based on patient-centered outcomes. In cancer care, attaining such outcomes obliges nurses to engage patients and their families in the assessment and other procedures as much as possible. Planning is the third step instrumental in delivering patient-centered care for cancer patients across their lifespans. In this step, health care practitioners formulate goals and outcomes that directly impact patient care based on evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines (Toney-Butler & Thayer, 2022). Attaining these goals is instrumental in delivering positive patient outcomes.

The fourth step of the nursing process is implementation. Werezak (2022) described implementation as carrying out the nursing interventions outlined in the care plan. For cancer patients, such interventions include medications, chemotherapy, and lifestyle modifications for healthy living. Continuous nurse-patient communication is also recommended for holistic and patient-centered care. The last step is evaluation. After implementing the care plan, nurses must assess whether it achieved the expected goals. Consequently, the evaluation helps to determine whether the desired outcomes of the care plan were met. The evaluation helps nursing practitioners to make further modifications to the treatment plan if the desired outcome is not yet met. It is also a critical part of care continuity that should be prioritized during cancer care and management.

Interdisciplinary Research Approach

Cancer research helps to establish new treatments and develop advanced approaches for cancer management. New developments continue to occur to advance knowledge and provide the best cancer care possible. As Peek and Guikema (2021) posited, an interdisciplinary research approach combines knowledge sources (data, concepts, and theories) to provide a broadened view of a phenomenon. Similarly, an interdisciplinary approach to cancer research blends nursing knowledge with other disciplines, such as science studies and physical science, to broaden the basic understanding of cancer and its care. Through such research, patients can get treatments and support that achieve the best outcomes possible. Emerging issues can also be better addressed through interdisciplinary knowledge.

Conclusion

Patient outcomes vary with nursing interventions. A patient-centered approach is crucial for delivering high patient outcomes. The nursing process outlines the basic steps for delivering patient-centered care, which can be applied to cancer management. Due to its role in promoting safe and holistic care, nursing professionals should understand, implement, and promote it as the basis for care planning. Nurses should also partner with organizations such as ACS to improve cancer care. They can be involved in health education, social support, and advocacy, among other interventions for expanding care among cancer patients.

References

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023). Skin cancer. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer#:~:text=Skin%20cancer%20is%20the%20most%20common%20cancer%20in%20the%20United%20States.&text=Current%20estimates%20are%20that%20one,skin%20cancer%20in%20their%20lifetime.&text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20approximately,with%20skin%20cancer%20every%20day.

American College of Surgeons. (2023). Cancer staging systems. https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer-programs/american-joint-committee-on-cancer/cancer-staging-systems/#:~:text=The%20TNM%20Staging%20System%20includes,the%20original%20(primary)%20tumor.&text=The%20M%20category%20tells%20whether,other%20parts%20of%20the%20body).

Avgerinos, K. I., Spyrou, N., Mantzoros, C. S., & Dalamaga, M. (2019). Obesity and cancer risk: Emerging biological mechanisms and perspectives. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 92, 121–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2018.11.001

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. (2022). Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/cancer.htm#:~:text=Leading%20risk%20factors%20for%20preventable,and%20drinking%20too%20much%20alcohol.

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. (2022). Side effects of cancer treatment. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/patients/side-effects-of-treatment.htm

Katsaros, D., Hawthorne, J., Patel, J., Pothier, K., Aungst, T., & Franzese, C. (2022). Optimizing social support in oncology with digital platforms. JMIR Cancer, 8(2), e36258. https://doi.org/10.2196/36258

National Cancer Institute. (2023). Cancer staging. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging

National Cancer Institute. (2023). How cancer is diagnosed. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/diagnosis

Peek, L., & Guikema, S. (2021). Interdisciplinary theory, methods, and approaches for hazards and disaster research: an introduction to the special issue. Risk Analysis, 41(7), 1047-1058. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13777

Toney-Butler, T. J., & Thayer, J. M. (2022). Nursing process. StatPearls Publishing.

Werezak, L. (2022). What is the nursing process? nurse.org. https://nurse.org/education/nursing-process/

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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 health care 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:

Describe the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer. Explain the numeric and Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging of cancer after the confirmed diagnosis.
Describe at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects.
Discuss what factors contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans.
Explain what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and support. What ACS services could a nurse recommend for these patients and why?
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 demonstrating the delivery of holistic and patient-focused care.
How does an interdisciplinary research approach (which includes liberal arts, science studies, mathematics, social and physical sciences), build on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research?
You are required to cite 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.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

 

Rubric Criteria
Total
250 points
Criterion

1. Unsatisfactory

2. Insufficient

3. Approaching

4. Acceptable

5. Target

Format/Documentation

Uses appropriate style, such as APA, MLA, etc., for college, subject, and level; documents sources using citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., appropriate to assignment and discipline.

0 points

Appropriate format is not used. No documentation of sources is provided.

3.75 points

Appropriate format is attempted, but some elements are missing. Frequent errors in documentation of sources are evident.

3.95 points

Appropriate format and documentation are used, although there are some obvious errors.

4.45 points

Appropriate format and documentation are used with only minor errors.

5 points

No errors in formatting or documentation are present.

Mechanics of Writing

Includes spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, language use, sentence structure, etc.

0 points

Errors in grammar or syntax are pervasive and impede meaning. Incorrect language choice or sentence structure errors are found throughout.

5.63 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors are present. Inconsistencies in language choice or sentence structure are recurrent.

5.93 points

Occasional mechanical errors are present. Language choice is generally appropriate. Varied sentence structure is attempted.

6.68 points

Few mechanical errors are present. Suitable language choice and sentence structure are used.

7.5 points

No mechanical errors are present. Appropriate language choice and sentence structure are used throughout.

Thesis, Position, or Purpose

Communicates reason for writing and demonstrates awareness of audience.

0 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is not discernible. No awareness of the appropriate audience is evident.

9.38 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is unfocused or confused. There is very little awareness of the intended audience.

9.88 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is discernable in most aspects but is occasionally weak or unclear. There is limited awareness of the appropriate audience.

11.13 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is adequately presented. An awareness of the appropriate audience is demonstrated.

12.5 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is clearly communicated throughout and clearly directed to a specific audience.

American Cancer Society (ACS)

Explanation of what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and support including what ACS services a nurse could recommend for patients and why for each service.

0 points

Explanation of what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and/or support including what ACS services a nurse could recommend for patients and why is omitted.

28.13 points

Explanation of what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and/or support including what ACS services a nurse could recommend for patients, and why is present, but lacks detail or is incomplete.

29.63 points

Explanation of what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and support including what ACS services a nurse could recommend for patients and why is present.

33.38 points

Explanation of what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and support including what ACS services a nurse could recommend for patients and why is detailed.

37.5 points

Explanation of what the American Cancer Society (ACS) might provide for education and support including what ACS services a nurse could recommend for patients why is thorough.

Utilization of Nursing Process Across the Life Span (B)

Explanation of the utilization of the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the lifespan, including each of the five phases, demonstrating a holistic and patient-focused care. (C3.1)

0 points

Explanation of the utilization of the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the lifespan, including each of the five phases, demonstrating a holistic and patient-focused care is omitted.

28.13 points

Explanation of the utilization of the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the lifespan, including each of the five phases, demonstrating a holistic and patient-focused care is present, but lacks details or is incomplete.

29.63 points

Explanation of the utilization of the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the lifespan, including each of the five phases, demonstrating a holistic and patient-focused care is present.

33.38 points

Explanation of the utilization of the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the lifespan, including each of the five phases, demonstrating a holistic and patient-focused care is detailed.

37.5 points

Explanation of the utilization of the nursing process to provide safe and effective care for patients across the lifespan, including each of the five phases, demonstrating a holistic and patient-focused care is thorough.

Evidence

Selects and integrates evidence to support and advance position/purpose; considers other perspectives.

0 points

Evidence to support the thesis, position, or purpose is absent. The writing relies entirely on the perspective of the writer.

9.38 points

Evidence is limited or irrelevant. The interpretation of other perspectives is superficial or incorrect.

9.88 points

Evidence is used but is insufficient or of limited relevance. Simplistic explanation or integration of other perspectives is present.

11.13 points

Relevant evidence that includes other perspectives is used.

12.5 points

Specific and appropriate evidence is included. Relevant perspectives of others are clearly considered.

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

Discussion of factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans.

0 points

Discussion of factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans is omitted.

28.13 points

Discussion of factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans is present, but lacks detail or is incomplete.

29.63 points

Discussion of factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans is present.

33.38 points

Discussion of factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans is detailed.

37.5 points

Discussion of factors contributing to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans is thorough.

Development, Structure, and Conclusion

Advances position or purpose throughout writing; conclusion aligns to and evolves from development.

0 points

No advancement of the thesis, position, or purpose is evident. Connections between paragraphs are missing or inappropriate. No conclusion is offered.

9.38 points

Writing lacks logical progression of the thesis, position, or purpose. Some organization is attempted, but ideas are disconnected. Conclusion is unclear and not supported by the overall development of the purpose.

9.88 points

Limited advancement of thesis, position, or purpose is discernable. There are inconsistencies in organization or the relationship of ideas. Conclusion is simplistic and not fully aligned to the development of the purpose.

11.13 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is advanced in most aspects. Ideas clearly build on each other. Conclusion aligns to the development of the purpose.

12.5 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is logically advanced throughout. The progression of ideas is coherent and unified. A clear and logical conclusion aligns to the development of the purpose.

Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer. Explanation of the Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging cancer after confirmed diagnosis.

0 points

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer, and/or explanation of the Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging cancer after confirmed diagnosis is omitted.

28.13 points

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer, and/or explanation of the Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging cancer after confirmed diagnosis is present, but lacks detail or is incomplete.

29.63 points

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer, and explanation of the Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging cancer after confirmed diagnosis is present.

33.38 points

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer, and explanation of the Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging cancer after confirmed diagnosis is detailed.

37.5 points

Description of the different types of diagnostic methods utilized to identify possibility of cancer, and explanation of the Tumor, Node, Metastasized (TNM) method of staging cancer after confirmed diagnosis is thorough.

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

Explanation of an interdisciplinary research approach that builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research (C1.1).

0 points

Explanation of how an interdisciplinary research approach that builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research is omitted.

9.38 points

Explanation of how an interdisciplinary research approach that builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research is present but lacks detail or is incomplete.

9.88 points

Explanation of how an interdisciplinary research approach that builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research is present.

11.13 points

Explanation of how an interdisciplinary research approach that builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research is detailed.

12.5 points

Explanation of how an interdisciplinary research approach that builds on the foundational nursing knowledge related to cancer research is thorough.

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

Description of at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects.

0 points

Description of at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and/or methods to lessen physical and psychological effects is omitted.

28.13 points

Description of at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and/or methods to lessen physical and psychological effects is present, but lacks detail or is incomplete.

29.63 points

Description of at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects is present.

33.38 points

Description of at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects is detailed.

37.5 points

Description of at least three complications of cancer, the side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen physical and psychological effects is thorough.