Overview of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a common malignant tumor of digestive tract occurring in the colon area, which is located in the junction of rectum and sigmoid colon. In China, colon cancer accounts for the fourth place in the incidence of malignant tumors, and the trend is increasing year by year. The general shape is polypoid, ulcerated and so on. Clinical symptoms of colon cancer vary according to the location and stage of tumor. Early stage colon cancer may have no obvious clinical symptoms. However, most of progressive colon cancer is accompanied by abdominal pain, change of bowel habit and fecal shape. Some patients may find abdominal mass, and with the development of the disease, late stage manifestations such as anemia, fatigue, emaciation and low-grade fever may appear. The diagnosis is confirmed by fiberoptic colonoscopy and pathological biopsy. The main treatments are surgical resection and chemotherapy, while clinical care is very important for the recovery of colon cancer patients.
Main nursing problems
1. Pain.
2.Anxiety.
3.Nutritional disorders.
4. potential complications, such as wound infection, bleeding, anastomotic fistula.
Nursing measures
1.Psychological care
Most colon cancer patients are older and weaker, plus patients are worried about colon cancer surgery, they often have psychological disorders of pessimism, fear and anxiety. Therefore, nursing staff should strengthen communication with patients and their families, introduce relevant medical knowledge of colon cancer, help patients correctly recognize the disease and relieve bad emotions, so that patients can establish confidence in overcoming the disease and actively cooperate with surgical treatment.
2. Nursing care for intestinal preparation
Before operation, patients should be given high protein, high calorie, high vitamin and less slag diet, and be fed with liquid food for 2-3 days before operation, and fasted for 1 day before operation, and supplemented with nutrition through intravenous fluid infusion. Clean enema in the night before surgery, clean standard to the anus discharge watery stool until. After 12:00 p.m. on the night before the operation, complete fasting and water fasting.
3.Pain care
Colorectal cancer patients will have different degrees of pain after surgery. Before operation, patients should be explained the possible pain after operation, so that they can be psychologically prepared. After operation, patients should be given psychological care to distract their attention, such as reading books or movies and listening to music.
4. Dietary care
Fasting for 3~4 days after surgery, giving intravenous nutritional support. After exhaustion, the patient can gradually switch to liquid food, semi-liquid food, soft food and general food, which should be progressive and eat more meals in small portions.
5. Drainage tube care
Fix the drainage tube properly, keep the drainage tube unobstructed, avoid pressure and folding. Closely observe the nature, color and amount of drainage fluid. Once abnormal situation occurs, report to the doctor in time.
6. Complications care
(1) Bleeding Observe whether there is blood oozing from the stoma, and inform the doctor promptly if there is any blood oozing.
(2) Wound infection Colorectal cancer is easy to be infected during operation. After operation, we should pay attention to the change of body temperature so as to find out whether there is incision infection in time.
(3) Anastomotic fistula Strengthen postoperative observation and nursing care, closely observe whether patients have abdominal pain, peritonitis, abdominal abscess and other symptoms and signs of anastomotic fistula.
7. radiotherapy care
Closely observe the patient’s reaction after radiotherapy, for serious vomiting, diarrhea should follow the doctor’s instructions to be water electrolyte supplementation, regular recheck of blood routine and so on. Immediately report changes in condition to the doctor.
Health promotion
1. Maintain good mood and avoid the stimulation of adverse mental factors.
2. Change bad diet structure and eating habits, advocate high protein, high vitamin, high calorie diet, avoid spicy and stimulating food.
3. Do not participate in heavy labor for 1-3 months after surgery.
4. Develop the habit of regular defecation. Avoid sitting for a long time.
5. Insist on chemotherapy after surgery and regular outpatient review.
6. If abdominal pain, bloody stools and other conditions occur, consult the doctor in time.
7. Regular fiberoptic enteroscopy.