Nursing Care for Cancer Patients

• Avoid applying pressure to the scalp.
• Do not use cold water.
• It is recommended to obtain a wig before hair loss, with a prescription.
• If the patient has long hair, it should be trimmed before starting chemotherapy treatment.
• Clean the patient's bed and room from fallen hair regularly.
• Educate the patient that their hair will grow back.

▶️ Skin Changes:

• Educate the patient that skin discoloration is a temporary condition and the skin will return to its normal state.
• You can add moisturizing oils to the water used for bathing.
• Use skin moisturizers no more than three times a day.
• Drink 8–12 cups of water daily.
• Protect the skin from severe and cold air to prevent dryness.
• Avoid using hot water during showers.
• Avoid daily showers unless necessary.

▶️ Loss of Appetite:

• Encourage the patient to eat despite a loss of appetite.
• Replace three main meals with six light meals.
• Serve food to the patient in a comfortable environment, free of odors.
• The patient’s meals should be high in protein and carbohydrates.
• Monitor fluid intake, output, weight, and daily calorie intake.
• Offer the patient their preferred flavors and avoid giving fluids before meals.
• Cold foods are preferred as they do not trigger nausea.
• Avoid foods like undercooked eggs or those containing yeast and bacteria, such as dairy.
• Encourage light exercises before meals.

▶️ Nausea and Vomiting:

• Give the patient anti-nausea medications before, during, and after chemotherapy doses.
• Sleeping during chemotherapy doses can help prevent nausea and vomiting.
• Continue giving anti-nausea medications throughout chemotherapy.
• Hard candies that do not dissolve quickly can help the patient overcome nausea.
• Maintain oral hygiene.
• Avoid strong-smelling foods and stick to multiple small, high-protein, and carbohydrate meals.
• Help the patient practice deep, slow breathing techniques.
• Listening to music or watching TV can help the patient relax and forget the feeling of nausea.

▶️ Mouth Sores:

• Use saltwater and soda for gargling from time to time.
• Offer the patient soft foods and avoid hot foods and spices.
• Remove dentures from the mouth after eating.
• Clean the teeth and mouth with a soft brush and avoid commercial toothpaste.
• If white spots appear inside the mouth, use medications like Nystatin after consulting the doctor.

▶️ Gastrointestinal Disorders (Diarrhea or Constipation):

• Provide appropriate foods for each condition. If the patient suffers from diarrhea, reduce fiber-rich foods; do the opposite if constipated.
• Administer medications as prescribed by the doctor.
• Maintain cleanliness of the anal area.
• Monitor fluid and electrolyte loss due to diarrhea.

▶️ Fatigue:

• Adjust the patient’s daily tasks according to their ability to perform them.
• Allow rest when the patient feels fatigued.
• Ensure the patient gets enough sleep hours to restore energy.

▶️ Changes in Sexual Function:

• Pregnancy should not occur during chemotherapy.
• Wait for five years before planning another pregnancy.
• Educate the couple that cancer is not contagious.
• Encourage the patient to discuss with their partner how their condition and sexual desires are affected by chemotherapy.

▶️ Providing Emotional Support to Cancer Patients:

• The cancer patient should express their feelings to someone (family, friends, cancer survivors, counselors, or mental health specialists), even if they prefer not to talk to others about their illness.
• Focus on positive thoughts even if the time is difficult or inappropriate, or try to find hope instead of thinking the worst, but avoid pretending to be optimistic unless it is genuine.
• Try to focus on everything that can be done to stay as healthy as possible.
• Focusing on the patient’s hobbies may help avoid the anxiety that comes with overthinking about the illness.