Family care after surgery for terminal lung cancer
Post-operative primary care
1. Vital signs observation: After the operation, the family shall closely follow the vital signs of the patient, including breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. In particular, the respiratory situation is due to the possibility of corrosive surgery causing complications such as abdominal chest and lungs. If the patient is in a hurry to breathe, has difficulty or has a chest pain, he/she must be informed in a timely manner. The availability of home-based blood oxygen saturation monitors also requires attention if the blood oxygen saturation is below normal range (generally 95% – 100%).
2. Wound care: Take care of the wound in the puncture area of the operation and keep it clean and dry. Avoiding watering of wounds and preventing infection. If blood is found in the wound or an increase in the amount of the excretion, the doctor and the nurse shall be informed if they do not dispose of themselves. At the same time, care should be taken not to allow the patient to scratch the wound and avoid damaging the healing environment.
II. Respiratory care
1. Assistance in stinging: After the surgery, the patient may accumulate siping fluid as a result of the mucousness of the glucose or the weakness of the cough, and the family must assist the patient in siping. The patient is allowed to take a half-bed or seat, to tap the patient ‘ s back, from the bottom up, from the outside, and at a certain rhythm, to beat, to promote ablaze and to facilitate coughing. If the sluice is so thick that it is difficult to cough, the patient is encouraged to drink more, and the daily amount of water can be increased to 1,500 – 2000 ml. If necessary, a mist inhalation device may be used, under the direction of a physician, to dilute the sluice.
2. Respiration is open: attention is paid to the sound of the patient ‘ s breath and to the timely handling of the sound of the sonic boom or hymns. In the case of patients suffering from cough difficulties, salivating equipment (used under the guidance of medical personnel) can be prepared to prevent suffocation from the suffocation of the gas route by slurry.
III. Pain care
1. Observation of pain: an understanding of the area, extent and duration of pain. Slight pain can divert attention from patients by talking to them, playing music for the rest. If the patient has severe pain, which affects rest and rehabilitation, the doctor is informed in a timely manner and is given painkillers as prescribed by the doctor.
2. Timing: Helping the patient to maintain a comfortable position and avoiding positions that oppress the part of the operation or cause increased pain. For example, when the patient is lying on his side, a soft pillow may be placed between his legs, back, etc., to increase comfort.
Dietary care
1. Nutritional balance: Provide patients with protein, vitamin and mineral-rich food, such as skinny meat, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits, to facilitate healing and physical recovery. Protein is an important material for body restoration, with the choice of digestible high-protein foods such as steamed fish and boiled eggs.
2. Food-style adjustment: After an operation, the patient may suffer from a lack of appetite and the family may take the form of less food. Food needs to be diluted and digested to avoid greasy, spicy and irritating foods, thus increasing the gastrointestinal burden. At the same time, care should be taken that food is at a moderate temperature and that overheated or overcooled food may stimulate the patient ‘ s respiratory tract.
V. Psychological care
1. Attention to patients ‘ moods: After an advanced lung cancer, there may be anxiety, depression, etc. that should be followed closely by families. To communicate with patients, to listen patiently to their concerns and thoughts and to give them emotional support. Encourage patients to actively face disease and build confidence in rehabilitation.
2. Create a good atmosphere: keep the patient ‘ s environment quiet, comfortable and comfortable. People can feel the warmth of their families and relieve their psychological stress by placing their favorites, such as photographs, flowers, etc., in a ward or at home.
VI. Rehabilitation Care
1. Activity guidance: At the advice of a physician, encourage appropriate activity by the patient. Simple physical activity in the bed can be carried out at an early stage, such as turning over, stretching out the limbs, etc., to prevent the formation of a deep vein of the lower limb and muscle atrophy. As patients recover, there is a gradual increase in activity, such as sitting, standing by the bed, walking at short distances, etc. However, care should be taken to avoid overwork and family escorts during the campaign to prevent patients from falling.
2. Respiratory function exercise: directs patients to respiration, such as condensed lip and abdominal breathing. The condensed lip breathes when the patient shuts up and breathes through the nose, and then the condensed lip breathes slowly and twice as long as the inhaled time. The abdominal respiration allows the patient to lay down or sit flat, put his hands on his abdomen, raise his abdomen when he breathes, and enters when he exhales. These respiratory exercises help to improve the patient ‘ s respiratory function and to improve the pulmonary aerobics.
VII. COMMODITY OBSERVATION AND CARE
1. Heating care: Patients may become hot as a result of absorption or infection after surgery. If the body temperature does not exceed 38.5 °C, physical cooling can be used, e.g. the use of warm water to wipe large vascular areas such as a patient ‘ s forehead, neck, armpit, groin, etc. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C or continues to heat up, the doctor is informed in a timely manner that the cause of the fever is identified and treated accordingly.
2. Aerobic breast observation: If a patient suddenly suffers from chest pain, chest suffocation and increased respiratory difficulties, beware of the occurrence of the chest. Keep the patient quiet, avoid violent activity and immediately inform the medical staff for treatment.
VIII. Concluding remarks
Care after surgery for terminal lung cancer is essential for the rehabilitation of patients. Families must be careful and patient in their care, keep a close eye on the situation of the patient, actively cooperate with the health-care staff, provide comprehensive care to the patient, improve the quality of life of the patient and promote his/her early recovery.
Lung cancer
