Question

168 Chapter 33 CASE STUDY A 55-year-old male patient is being treated for colon : He had surgery to remove a tumor and is now receiving radiation therapy. He is married and has two teenage children. He is a teacher at the high school. His wife works part time as a check-out clerk at the local grocery store. Answer the following questions: 1. How might the person feel about having cancer? Following hip replacement surgery, a 75-year-old woman is receiving rehabilitation at a skilled nursing center. The person fell in her driveway and fractured her right hip. She is a retired nurse. She lives alone in her home. She does volunteer work at the hospital 2 days a week. Answer the following questions: 1. What complications is the person at risk for? 2. What measures by the health team are helpful? 2. What care measures are needed after hip replace- ment surgery? 3. What are the side effects of radiation therapy? ADDITIONAL I CADMINIO ACTIVITIES

Answer 1

Colon cancer

1.Cancer is a deadly disease which affects a person physically and emotionally. It affects a family emotionally and financially. In society it is affected by others regretting or feeling pity for this situation. Being a father he is responsible in holding the family entirely, to make a good future for his children and also secure his wife.He may have an intense unexplainable emotional pain of how to manage and come out of it to lead a quality life.

2.The measures which can help the patient are

• Provide psychological support
• Provide adequate counselling to regain confidence
• Introduce him to social group ,community support service
• Appropriate medical intervention

3.The major side effects of radiation therapy are

• Nausea
• Skin irritation where the radiation are beamed (redness and blisters may occur)
• Diarrhoea ,pain while defecating, irritation or burning sensation
• Urinary urgency
• Erection problems can be expected

Hip replacement surgery

1.Some of the complication then patient is at risk are

• Slow wound healing due to ageing
• High risk of fall ,if lost balance
• Infection at the surgical site ,if not aseptic care is followed
• The length of the limb can alter
• Dislocation of the placed hip joint

2.The care needed after hip replacement are

• It takes about 12 weeks for the wound to heel completely
• Take analgesics,antibiotics for the prescribed course of time
• No heavy weight lifting
• Not to bend down at 90° angle
• No strenuous activity or exercise
• Use of a walker is must
• Cautious walking technique as taught by the physical therapist
• Regular follow up
• Use of commode or a Western water closet while voiding or defecating ,because the hip should not be bend at right angle