Guidelines for family care after pulmonary cancer
Pulmonary cancer chemotherapy is a difficult process of treatment, and chemotherapy, while killing cancer cells, can cause a series of adverse reactions to the patient ‘ s body. Family members play a crucial role in post-medical care, and the following are some of the main points of care:
I. Live-in care
– Comfortable environment: a quiet, clean and comfortable living environment for patients. Maintain indoor temperature at 22 – 24°C and humidity at 50 – 60%. The regular ventilation of windows makes the air fresh, reduces the smell and dust and reduces the risk of infection. Some of the patient ‘ s favorite green plants can be placed in the room, but care is taken to avoid choosing plants with too many pollen or thorns.
– Rest and exercise: adequate rest is guaranteed, after chemotherapy the patient is weak and needs sleep to restore physical strength. Helping the patient to establish a regular break, ensuring sleep for 7-8 hours a day. Where the patient ‘ s physical capacity permits, he or she is encouraged to undertake appropriate activities, such as a slow walk in the room and simple exercise such as stretching his or her limbs. The volume of activities should be gradually increased to avoid overwork. If the patient is tired, activity and rest should be stopped immediately.
II. Catering
– Nutritional balance: chemotherapy can lead to reduced appetite and vomiting, but adequate nutrition is still needed for physical recovery. Food is provided with proteins, vitamins and minerals. Protein can be used to select skinny meat, fish, eggs, beans, etc., such as steamed fish, boiled eggs, tofu soup, etc. Vitamin-rich foods include fresh vegetable fruits such as broccoli, carrots, oranges, strawberries, etc. At the same time, care should be taken to diversify diets to meet the different nutritional needs of patients.
– Dietary adjustment: the diet is adapted to changes in the taste and appetite of the patient. If the patient has symptoms of vomiting, it is possible to avoid eating too much at a time by eating less. The choice of food is based on ease of digestion, such as rice porridge, soft noodles, etc. Avoid greasy, spicy and irritating foods that exacerbate gastrointestinal disorders. For people with very poor appetites, some appetizers can be tried, such as mountain sprouts, lemonade, etc.
III. Symptoms Care
– Gross vomiting care: post-chemical vomiting is a common negative reaction. When the patient is sick, he/she is able to breathe deep or contains a ginger chip, mint, etc., which helps to alleviate the symptoms. Upon vomiting, the mouth and face are cleaned up in a timely manner, the mouth is washed with warm water, the mouth is kept clean and the taste of the mouth is prevented from increasing the nausea. At the same time, care should be taken to observe the amount, colour and nature of vomit, and to inform doctors in an exceptional and timely manner.
– Haemorrhage care: chemotherapy drugs can cause patients to lose their hair, which can cause psychological stress. Families are required to provide psychological support to the patients and to inform them that the loss of hair is temporary. Patients can be provided with soft hats or wigs to help them maintain a good image. When combing your hair, move softly and use wide-tooth combs to avoid excessive pulling of your hair.
– Care of bone marrow inhibition: chemotherapy can cause bone marrow inhibition, resulting in a decrease in white cells, red cells and blood platelets. Families must be careful to prevent infection and keep their skin and mouth clean. To the extent possible, the patient is not allowed to go to a densely populated site and is allowed to wear a mask if the patient is too low. The patient is closely monitored for hemorrhage, hemorrhage and other symptoms such as abnormally timely medical treatment.
IV. Psychological care
– Emotional support: after chemotherapy, patients with lung cancer may experience anxiety, depression, fear, etc. Families need to communicate more with their patients, listen to them patiently and make them feel concerned and supportive. Encourage patients to express their emotions and fears, provide comfort and encouragement, and increase their confidence in fighting disease.
– To encourage socialization: to encourage people to communicate with their relatives and friends, as physical conditions permit. Contacts can be made by telephone, video, etc., so that patients can feel social support. In addition, small family gatherings or events can be organized to alleviate the psychological stress of patients.
V. Oral care
– Cleaning of the mouth: chemotherapy can cause damage to the oral mucous membrane of the patient, which can easily cause oral ulcer and infection. Patients are instructed to brush their teeth with soft teeth at least once a day and every night. After the meal, the mouth is washed with fresh or salty water to remove the food residue from the mouth. If an ulcer has already appeared in the oral mucous membrane of the patient, care may be provided on the advice of a doctor, using oral ulcers or venom.
– Observe oral changes: families should be careful to observe the presence of bruises, ulcer, haemorrhage, etc. of the patient ‘ s mouth, and to inform the doctor in an unusual and timely manner. At the same time, patients are reminded to avoid eating hard, hot foods to avoid damage to mouth mucous membranes.
VI. COMMODITY OBSERVATIONS
– Close observation: attention is paid to other complications such as diarrhoea, constipation, numbness, etc. In the case of diarrhea, care is taken to supplement the moisture and electrolyte to prevent dehydration. For constipated patients, the intake of food fibres, such as extra vegetables, fruit, whole wheat bread, etc., can be increased and, if necessary, portable drugs may be used under the supervision of a doctor. If the patient is numb, care is taken to protect the patient from injuries, such as burns, fall, etc.
In short, post-pulmonary cancer chemotherapy care requires the care, patience and love of the family. Through comprehensive care measures, the patient is helped to alleviate the symptoms of discomfort, maintain a good psychological state, promote physical recovery and improve the quality of life.
Lung cancer
