Nursing Care Plan for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the organs. The most common site is the pleura (the outer layer of the lungs and internal chest wall), but may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), heart, pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.

Mesothelioma Signs and Symptoms

These symptoms may be Caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

That Mesothelioma affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
  • Chest wall pain
  • Pleural effusion, or fluid Surrounding the lung
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue or anemia
  • Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
  • Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

That tumors affect the abdominal cavity Often do not cause symptoms until They are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
  • Abdominal pain
  • Ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
  • A mass in the abdomen
  • Problems with bowel function
  • Weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
  • Blood clots in the veins, the which may cause thrombophlebitis
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder Causing severe bleeding in many body organs
  • Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • Pleural effusion
  • Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
  • Severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.
Source : wikipedia.org

Mesothelioma Diagnostic Test
  • Pleural biopsy
  • Then histologic study of the specimen ..
  • Chest x-rays
  • Computed tomography scans of the chest
Nursing Assessment Nursing Care Plan for Mesothelioma

Assessment is the main base of the nursing process. Assessment is the first step in one of the nursing process (Gaffar, 1999). Activities undertaken in the assessment is gathering data and formulating priority issues. In the assessment - a careful collection of data about clients, Their families, the data obtained through interviews, observation and examination.
  1. Patient Identity
    The identity of the client: name, age, marital status, religion, tribe / nation, education, occupation, income, address and registration number.

  2. Main complaint: chest pain and dyspnea, hoarseness cough, anorexia, weight loss, weakness and fatigue.

  3. Previous medical history: exposure to asbestos

  4. Physical examination:
    • Inspection: shortness of breath and, finger clubbing.
    • Auscultation: diminished chest sounds
    • Percussion: dullness over lung fields

Nursing Care Plan for Mesothelioma

Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Interventions for Mesothelioma

Source : http://nanda-nursing.blogspot.com/2011/08/nursing-care-plan-for-mesothelioma.html

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