TUMBAGA

NCP

Diagnosis

Acute pain related to abdominal pain as evidenced by patient facial appearance of pain
and pain scale of 8/10

Nursing Inference

Ovarian cancer is often caught in later, more advanced stages because there are often few
symptoms early on in the course of the disease. Unfortunately, late-stage ovarian cancer can
cause pain and discomfort. In its earliest stages, ovarian cancer may cause no symptoms or only
mild ones. These symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling
full quickly, and urinary urgency. Women may experience different types of pain due to ovarian
cancer: vague feelings of discomfort, sharp or shooting pains, a sensation of bloating, or dull and
constant aches in the bones. Some women may not have any pain at all until their cancer is in a
more advanced stage. Advanced ovarian cancer can lead to issues that create pain because the
tumor has grown. When ovarian cancer is diagnosed, treatment of the disease is the first course
of action to fight the cancer and try to alleviate the pain. But disease management also includes
pain medication to keep the pain under control.

Planning

After 30 minutes to 1 hour of nursing intervention, the patient will be able to report
maximal pain relief/control with minimal interference with ADLs, and will be able to
demonstrate use of relaxation skills and diversional activities as indicated for individual
situation.

Intervention

1. Determine pain history (location of pain, frequency, duration, and intensity using
numeric rating scale (0–10 scale), or verbal rating scale (“no pain” to “excruciating
pain”) and relief measures used. Believe patient’s report.
TUMBAGA

Rationale: Information provides baseline data to evaluate effectiveness of

interventions. Pain of more than 6 mo duration constitutes chronic pain, which may
affect therapeutic choices. Recurrent episodes of acute pain can occur within chronic
pain, requiring increased level of intervention. Note: The pain experience is an
individualized one composed of both physical and emotional responses.

2. Evaluate pain relief and control at regular intervals. Adjust medication regimen as
necessary.

Rationale: Goal is maximum pain control with minimum interference with ADLs.

3. Provide nonpharmacological comfort measures (massage, repositioning, backrub) and

diversional activities (music, television)

Rationale: Promotes relaxation and helps refocus attention.

4. Encourage use of stress management skills or complementary therapies (relaxation

techniques, visualization, guided imagery, biofeedback, laughter, music,
aromatherapy, and therapeutic touch).

Rationale: Enables patient to participate actively in nondrug treatment of pain and

enhances sense of control. Pain produces stress and, in conjunction with muscle
tension and internal stressors, increases patient’s focus on self, which in turn
increases the level of pain.

Dependent

1. Inform patient and SO of the expected therapeutic effects and discuss management of
side effects.

Rationale: This information helps establish realistic expectations, confidence in own

ability to handle what happens.

1. Evaluate and be aware of painful effects of particular therapies (surgery, radiation,

chemotherapy, biotherapy). Provide information to patient and SO about what to
expect.
TUMBAGA

Rationale: A wide range of discomforts are common (incisional pain, burning skin,
low back pain, headaches), depending on the procedure and agent being used. Pain is
also associated with invasive procedures to diagnose or treat cancer.

Evaluation

The goal was met. After 30 minutes to 1 hour of nursing intervention, the patient was
able to report maximal pain relief/control with minimal interference with ADLs, and was able to
demonstrate use of relaxation skills and diversional activities as indicated for individual
situation.

https://nurseslabs.com/cancer-nursing-care-plans/3/

Diagnosis

Anxiety related to threat to change in health as evidenced by insomnia, and restlessness.

Nursing Inference

Ovarian cancer causes a variety of physical and psychological symptoms during the
stages of diagnosis, treatment, and survival. Women at risk for ovarian cancer who participate in
screening programs, especially young women with little social support, are more likely to
experience high levels of depression and anxiety. Anxiety is defined as unease, fear, and dread
caused by stress. Patients living with cancer feel many different emotions,
including anxiety and distress. It may be because of a stressful event like a cancer diagnosis or
for no known reason. Symptoms of anxiety disorder include extreme worry, fear, and dread.
When the symptoms are severe, it affects a person's ability to lead a normal life.

Planning

 After 1 hour of nursing intervention the patient will be able to understand proper health
teaching.

Intervention

Independent

1. Review patient’s and SO’s previous experience with cancer. Determine what the
doctor has told patient and what conclusion patient has reached.
TUMBAGA

Rationale: Clarifies patient’s perceptions; assists in identification of fear(s) and

misconceptions based on diagnosis and experience with cancer.

2. Provide open environment in which patient feels safe to discuss feelings or to

refrain from talking.
Rationale: Helps patient feel accepted in present condition without feeling judged,
and promotes sense of dignity and control.

3. Promote calm, quiet environment.

Rationale: Facilitates rest, conserves energy, and may enhance coping abilities.

4. Encourage patient to share thoughts and feelings.

Rationale: Provides opportunity to examine realistic fears and misconceptions
about diagnosis.

5. Provide accurate, consistent information regarding

diagnosis and prognosis. Avoid arguing about patient’s
perceptions of situation.
Rationale: Can reduce anxiety and enable patient to make decisions and choices
based on realities.

6. Provide reliable and consistent information and support for SO.

Rationale: Allows for better interpersonal interaction and reduction of anxiety and
fear.

7. Maintain frequent contact with patient. Talk with and touch patient as appropriate.
Rationale: Provides assurance that patient is not alone or rejected; conveys respect
for and acceptance of the person, fostering trust.

8. Permit expressions of anger, fear, despair without confrontation. Give information

that feelings are normal and are to be appropriately expressed.
Rationale: Acceptance of feelings allows patient to begin to deal with situation.

9. Be alert to signs of denial and depression (withdrawal, anger, inappropriate

remarks). Determine presence of suicidal ideation and assess potential on a scale
of 1–10.
Rationale: Patient may use defense mechanism of denial and express hope that
diagnosis is inaccurate. Feelings of guilt, spiritual distress, physical symptoms, or
lack of cure may cause patient to become withdrawn and believe that suicide is a
viable alternative.

10. Identify stage and degree of grief patient and SO are currently experiencing.
Rationale: Choice of interventions is dictated by stage of grief, coping
behaviors (anger, withdrawal, denial).
TUMBAGA

11. Assist patient and SO in recognizing and clarifying fears to begin developing
coping strategies for dealing with these fears.
Rationale: Coping skills are often stressed after diagnosis and during different
phases of treatment. Support and counseling are often necessary to enable
individual to recognize and deal with fear and to realize that control and coping
strategies are available.

12. Encourage and foster patient interaction with support systems

Rationale: Reduces feelings of isolation. If family support systems are not
available, outside sources may be needed immediately, (local cancer support
groups).

13. Note ineffective coping (poor social interactions, helplessness, giving up

everyday functions and usual sources of gratification).
Rationale: Identifies individual problems and provides support for patient and SO
in using effective coping skills.

Dependent

1. Explain procedures, providing opportunity for questions and honest answers. Stay
with patient during anxiety-producing procedures and consultations.
Rationale: Accurate information allows patient to deal more effectively with
reality of situation, thereby reducing anxiety and fear of the unknown.

2. Explain the recommended treatment, its purpose, and potential side effects. Help
patient prepare for treatments.

Rationale: The goal of cancer treatment is to destroy malignant cells while

minimizing damage to normal ones. Treatment may include surgery as well as
chemotherapy, radiation or organ-specific treatments such as whole-
body hyperthermia or biotherapy. Bone marrow or peripheral progenitor cell
(stem cell) transplant may be recommended for some types of cancer.

Evaluation
The goal is partially met. After 1 hour of nursing intervention the patient was able
to understood proper health teaching.

https://nurseslabs.com/cancer-nursing-care-plans/13/