Palliative Nursing Care for Patients with Advanced Stage Lung Cancer at Home

Abstract

         Advanced lung cancer refers to whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and can cause a number of complications. Patients with advanced stage of lung cancer encounter both physical and mental sufferings. The treatments for advanced lung cancer until the end-of-life provide palliative treatment allows one to alleviate symptoms that occur in an advanced stage.

         Health care team plays a significant role in palliative care for the patient and the family. Nurses play a vital role in preparation and providing the end of life care to caregivers and families. Palliative care nursing involve sufficient knowledge, good relationship, and assessing needs of holistic care. Health care team must be aware about cultural diversity when asses patients’ needs. The goal of the nurse is to promote adaptation for the patient and the family in the four modes, including role performance, body image, self-concept and interdependence.

        Nurses must evaluate and plan periodic care with the health care team. Palliative care nursing demands communication skills, symptom management skills, and advanced care planning skills in order to support continuous care and all-inclusive care from the beginning of treatment to the end of life. The main purpose is to provide patients and families with a better quality of life including four dimensions of health physical, mental, social, and spiritual.