Article Abstract:
Collaboration between intensive care units (ICUs) and hematology/oncology units (HOUs) as well as the debunking of popular misconceptions each unit has about the other is essential to administering overall good care to patients. Before a collaboration with these units can be successful, each unit must address their general perceptions of each other. ICU nurses should understand that all oncology patients are not immediately terminal and HOU nurses should realize that ICUs approach oncology patients with as aggressive an approach to treatment as they would any other critical patient.
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Article Abstract:
Critical care nurses should prepare themselves to face the challenges of caring for oncology patients with hematologic emergencies such as hypercalcemia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Hypercalcemia symptoms such as nausea, cardiac changes, and coma occur when the body produces too much calcium in the blood. SIADH is difficult to diagnose and symptoms include water retention, fatigue, and seizures. DIC causes patients to bleed and clot simultaneously. Symptoms include nose bleeding and low blood pressure.
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Article Abstract:
Life threatening emergencies can surface in a cancer patient and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses should have a basic understanding of the assessment and treatment of the three most common cancer-related emergencies. Cardiac tamponade occurs when fluid is retained in the pericardial sac and can result in circulatory collapse. Superior vena cava syndrome is the result of an obstruction of the superior vena cava often from a tumor or thrombosis. Malignant pleural effusion results from the leakage of fluids from a tumor, lymph vessels, or blood into cavities and tissue.
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