Page 92 - Critical Care Nursing Demystified

Chapter 2 CARE OF THE PATIENT WITH CRITICAL RESPIRATORY NEEDS 77

Signs and Symptoms
Warning signals of cancer include
Hoarseness
Fever and unexplained weight loss

Fatigue
Hemoptysis
Persistent cough
Recurring pneumonias, pleural effusions, or bronchitis

Interpreting Test Results
There are many diagnostic tests that confirm the presence of lung cancer. These
include
Chest x-rays
Bronchoscopy with lung biopsy
Mediastinoscopy
Thoracotomy

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Treatment for this condition includes
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgical procedures

Nursing Diagnoses Expected Outcomes
Gas exchange The patientʼs ABGs will return to baseline with specific
impaired watch over the pO
2
Pain, acute The patient will report a +2 level of pain after administer-
ing opiates/analgesics
Infection, risk for The patient will have a normal temperature
The patient will have clear sputum
The patient will have baseline chest x-ray
The chest incision will be clean, dry, intact

Nursing Interventions

Assess vital signs to monitor for shock, infection, or hypoxemia.
Assess respiratory status and laboratory values to monitor for complications.