Health in Extended Care: Managing Symptoms and Patient Care - Report

This report presents a case study of a 42-year-old woman, Ms. Agatha Costas, diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, focusing on health promotion in extended care. The report addresses key issues, including symptom management (such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms) and the care of her 12-year-old autistic son, Alec. It highlights the nursing issues, complications faced by the patient, and the priorities of nurses in managing the patient's condition, including interventions like exercise programs and medication management. The report also discusses interventions for caring for Alec, considering his autism and the need for consistent behavior and communication strategies. The report references relevant sources to support the discussed interventions and care strategies, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and approaches in this case.

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Explanation of two issues................................................................................................................3
Symptoms management...............................................................................................................3
Care for son..................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
The case that has been selected for the paper is “Client diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer”.
This case study includes the matter of patient whose name is Ms Agatha Costas who is 42 years
old women and was diagnosed with the right-sided metastatic breast cancer. The patient is
dealing with the lymphatic metastases in the right axilla and in the liver with both lungs. She had
the treatment which includes surgical removal of lumpectomy 3 years ago but determines an as
aggressive form of cancer that is linked to the BRCA1 gene. Being the community nurse, I found
that she is dealing with some issues which include Nutrition in eating, not taking medications, no
job, Care for son and Symptoms management.

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Explanation of two issues
The 5 major issues that are highlighted reflect that patients are dealing with these issues. Out of
these issues, two issues are selected which include: -
 Symptoms management
 Care for son.
Symptoms management
Agatha Nursing Issue: - Agatha is dealing with some of the symptoms which are affecting their
lifestyle. The symptoms which are faced by her include itchy skin, swollen abdomen, dry and
persistent cough, shortness of breath on exertion, dry mouth, reduced appetite, fatigue, oral
thrush, forgetfulness and confusion.
Complications of patient: - In metastatic breast cancer, this has been found that patient is
majorly facing fatigue issue and shortness of breath on exertion.
Priorities of Nurse: - It becomes the priority of nurse to reduce the level of fatigue and to
improve shortness of breath on exertion so that she can interact with her son and maintain self-
care.
Nurse Intervention: -
 The nurse plays vital in managing the symptoms faced by the metastatic breast cancer
patients who include starting a gradual exercise program in which the patient needs to
walk so that they can gain the strength and energy level. This is the way through which
they can improve the blood flow which reduces the blood clots (Cancer Care, 2018).

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 The nurse should help the patients in taking the proper medication like morphine which
will control the problem of shortness of breath (Eldribge, 2018).
Care for son
Agatha Nursing Issue: - Agatha is a divorced lady with one child whose name is Alec, he is 12
years old and is autistic which means he deals with the verbal and non-verbal communication.
Agatha is not in contact with his husband since last 12 years as he moved to Greece before Alec
born. This remain Agatha will issue that who will look after his son as she is undergoing with the
treatment of Cancer.
Complications of patient: - In metastatic breast cancer, the patient will deal with the pain,
Cachexia and many others. The major complications can be related to the brain metastases, liver
metastases, lung Metastases and others (Eldribge, 2018). All these complications lead to
psychological stress for patient because they are not able to manage their child.
Nursing priorities: - The priority of the nurse is to look after health of the patients to improve
the condition. Along with this, the child remains alone due to which it become the responsible to
look after child.
Nurse Intervention: -
 Nurse intervention is to perform therapy which includes physical therapy, acupuncture,
and massage that which will help them in managing the symptoms (Keeney & Head,
2011).
 The nurse should apply their practice that helps in managing the autistic child which
include being consistent with them, acting with good behaviour, finding the nonverbal
clues for communicating and many others (Irvin, Muss & Mayer, 2011).

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References
Cancer Care. (2018). Metastatic Breast Cancer: Pain and Symptom Management. Retrieved
from: https://www.cancercare.org/publications/347-
metastatic_breast_cancer_pain_and_symptom_management
Eldribge, L. (2018) Complications of Advanced (Metastatic) Breast Cancer. Retrieved from:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/complications-of-advanced-metastatic-breast-cancer-
4159828
Irvin, W., Muss, H. B., & Mayer, D. K. (2011). Symptom management in metastatic breast
cancer. The oncologist, theoncologist, 6(9): 1203–1214.
Keeney, C. E., & Head, B. A. (2011). Palliative nursing care of the patient with cancer-related
fatigue. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 13(5), 270-278.