Palliative nursing care of lung cancer patient in the final stage: Home visit case study

Abstract

Advanced lung cancer is the stage that cancer cells spread to another part of the body leading to various complications and then patients who suffer from physical and mental illness. Advanced lung cancer treatment until the final stage of this disease aim to palliate, reduce the spreading of disease and relieve the suffering.

In case study, a Thai man patient, 77 year old, was diagnosed as small RLL carcinoma with hepatic metastasis and he refused treatment at Cancer hospital. Thus the doctor prescribed the morphine drug for pain relief when the patient stay at home. The

patient was followed-up for 4 times by palliative care team. Caregiver can care the patient, manage the disturbance symptoms and correctly administered of drug to patient as suggestion from palliative care team. The patient was received palliative nursing care for 2 months. Finally, the patient died peacefully at home with refusing of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Nurse should be evaluated and planed periodically for nursing care with the health team and had the knowledge, understanding, good relationship and could be evaluated  the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of patient and patient’s family. In addition, the nurse can be manage and appropriately respond the needs and conform to the society and culture with kindness and generosity. Nurse is a key role in preparation of patient to access to end-of-life. The preparation for adaptation of caregiver and family for the illness condition of the patient in side of roles, physical, self-concept, and dependence are important for appropriate nursing care of patient.