To start with lung cancer is a complicated disease.
The lung begins to change and grow violently forming a tumor that can be cancerous or benign and the treatment either be by chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. The newly diagnosed individual’s learning needs should be to understand the disease process, its diagnosis and management plan including support services available. The person diagnosed should know that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer so quitting smoking and avoid second hand smoking will be helpful to the patient.
Diet and obesity are other contributing factors of cancer so right diet and weight decrease is key. The newly diagnosed patient should be his or her own advocate. The person should be able to speak out, ask questions and make her wishes recognized. During the first year after diagnosis depression of patients tend to increase by 27% (A.
M.H Krebber et al, 2013). The following contribute to the increase in depression denial, long hospitalization stays and the change of body image during treatment.
Another learning need for the newly diagnosed lung cancer patient is for him or her to know the local and national support services available to assist patients suffering from cancer like financial benefits, housing etc. (www.nahhh.org).
Family caring for an elderly individual with Alzheimer’s disease is another common disease in the United States. This disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and it affects the brain that is large numbers of nerve cells in the brain dies causing the patient hardly to remember and think plainly, they easily forget and are disorganized. Family members caring for Alzheimer’s should make eye contact for caring for this patient, beware of your tone of voice and the body language when dealing with Alzheimer’s patient. Hold the patient’s hands while talking to him or her. One golden rule is that if you become irritated take a time out. Patience is key when caring for Alzheimer patient. Patient suffering from Alzheimer disease should be encouraged to enroll in the Medic Alert Alzheimer Association Safe Return Program (www.
alz.org). The patient should also be counselled to keep to a consistent repetitive plan like time for bathing, dressing, eating simply because they find it hard to cope with changes. Safety of the patient is very important so the home of the patient should be kept safe by turning off the oven or light, removing rugs and getting rid of unnecessary items. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be fixed and patient protected from fraud identity theft.
He should be closely monitored because they are at risk of inadequate self-care, malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, falls, wandering from home. Adolescence is the phase between childhood and adult life, with the advent of e cigarette, many adolescents despite the health risk are now engaged in smoking. Smoking cause cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive airways disease, tumors of the mouth, larynx, lip and bladder (US Department of Health and Regulatory action, Human Services, 1988).
Everyone in the community should play a role in counselling those that are smoking. Bill boards should be erected, churches, mosques should all play role in engaging the youths. Cessation programs should be instituted in the community. ReferencesKrebber, A. M. H.
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