Oncological Emergencies in Cancer Care

Cancer and cancer treatment can predispose patients to medically urgent situations requiring acute critical care.  Many patients have complicated challenges because of co-morbidities such as coronary artery disease, COPD  and diabetes.  Understanding the pathophysiology of the oncologic emergency and applying astute clinical assessment skills can avert a life threatening outcome. Nursing care is crucial in identifying patients who are at risk for oncologic crisis and developing a care plan to promote healing and restoration of health.

Oncologic emergencies are classified as structural and metabolic. Over the course of this semester, you will work in groups to study the concept of caring for this patient population and share your knowledge with your cohorts.  The disease processes that will be addressed in this assignment are Superior Vena Cava Syndrome, Cardiac Tamponade, Spinal Cord Compression, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, Hypercalcemia, Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone, Neutropenic Sepsis, and Tumor Lysis Syndrome. 

Through your research and collaboration over a four week time frame you will meet the following learning objectives:

1. Define cancer and how a malignant process compromises homeostasis.

2. Differentiate between a structural and a metabolic oncologic emergency.

3. Identify the signs and the symptoms of each of the oncologic emergencies.

4. Describe the pathophysiology predisposing oncology patients to life threatening conditions
    related to their cancer or treatment.

5. Identify medical interventions and diagnostic tests prescribed to treat the
    oncologic emergent condition.

6. Describe how application of the nursing process: assessment, plan, intervention and
    evaluation of outcomes will facilitate patient care.