Case Study, Chapter 15, Oncology: Nursing Management in Cancer Care

1. Emanuel Jones, 60 years of age, is male patient diagnosed with small cell carcinoma. He underwent surgery in the past to remove the left lower lobe of his lung. He is receiving chemotherapy. Two weeks before a round of chemotherapy, a complete blood count with differential, and a renal and metabolic profile are obtained for the patient. The patient presents to the oncology clinic for chemotherapy with a temperature of 101°F. Further assessment reveals decreased breath sounds in the right base of the right lung, and a productive cough expectorating green colored mucus. The patient is short of breath and has a pulse oximetry reading that is SaO2 of 85% on room air. The patient has a history of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and has complaints of urinary frequency and burning upon urination. The patient is admitted to the oncology unit in the hospital. The oncologist orders the following: blood, sputum, and urine cultures; and a chest x-ray. An x-ray of the kidneys, ureters, bladder (KUB) is ordered. An arterial blood gas (ABG) on room air, CBC with differential, and renal and metabolic profile are ordered. Oxygen is ordered to begin with nasal cannula at 2 L/min and titrate to keep SaO2 greater than 90%. A broad-spectrum antibiotic, levofloxacin 500 mg in 100 mL of NS is ordered to be administered IV over 60 minutes once daily. 

1. After examining the physician orders, in what sequence should the nurse provide the care to the patient admitted to the hospital? Give the rationale for the sequence chosen.
2. On what areas should the nurse focus the assessment to detect potential complications for Mr. Jones?
3. What patient education does Mr. Jones need from the nurse to help prevent the reoccurrence of an infection and to get treatment for an infection promptly?

2. The oncology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is asked to develop a staff development program for registered nurses who will be administering chemotherapeutic agents. Because the nurses will be administering a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs to oncology patients, the CNS plans on presenting an overview of agents, classifications, and special precautions related to the safe handling and administration of these drugs. 

1. What does the CNS describe as the goals of chemotherapy?
2. How should the CNS respond to the following question: “Why do patients require rounds of chemotherapeutic drugs, including different drugs and varying intervals?”
3. In teaching about the administration of chemotherapeutic agents, what signs of extravasation should the nurse include?
4. What clinical manifestations of myelosuppression, secondary to chemotherapy administration, should the CNS include in this program?