Joan Lockhart, PhD, RN, CORLN, AOCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, clinical professor at Duquesne University School of Nursing, discusses issues oncology nurses should monitor for when treating patients with head and neck cancer.
Joan Lockhart, PhD, RN, CORLN, AOCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, clinical professor at Duquesne University School of Nursing, discusses issues oncology nurses should monitor for when treating patients with head and neck cancer.
These include wound care, managing an artificial airway, health education, discharge planning, and understanding side effects of any nonsurgical treatments.
However, one of the most important patient needs that nurses should be attuned to are the psychosocial aspects that come with this diagnosis, but also the treatments. Certain issues that can affect quality of life include financial strains and returning to work.