Nursing Care Plan for Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a malignancy of the thyroid which has 4 types, namely: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. Thyroid cancer rarely causes enlargement of the gland, often causing small growth (nodule) in the glands. Most thyroid nodules are benign, thyroid cancer can usually be cured.
Thyroid cancer often limits the ability to absorb iodine and limit the ability to produce thyroid hormone, but sometimes produce enough thyroid hormone resulting in hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid cancer occurs in cells of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones serve to regulate the speed of the heart beat, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.
Nursing Diagnosis for Thyroid Cance
- Ineffective airway clearance related to obstruction of the trachea by the pressure of the tumor mass.
- Pain (acute / chronic) related to the presence of pressure / swelling of the tumor nodule.
- Impaired verbal communication related to vocal cord injury.
Nursing Interventions and Rationale
1. Ineffective airway clearance related to obstruction of the trachea by the pressure of the tumor mass.
Goal: Effective airway.
Outcomes:
- There is no difficulty breathing.
- Easy exit discharge.
- Not complaining of shortness of breath.
- Respiration in the normal range (16-20).
- Monitor respiratory rate, depth and breath work.
- Auscultation of breath sounds, note the presence of crackles.
- Assess for dyspnea, stridor and cianosis.
- Note the quality of breathing.
- Collaboration of oxygen therapy if necessary.
- To determine the presence of early complications.
- To determine the presence of crackles or not.
- Knowing the client's breathing.
- Preventing the occurrence of dyspnea.
- Helping clients breathing.
2. Pain (acute / chronic) related to the presence of pressure / swelling of the tumor nodule.
Goal: reduced pain.
Outcomes:
- Pain reported lost / diminished.
- Pain scale: 0-2.
- Looks relax.
- There are no complaints to swallow.
- Observe for signs of pain both verbal and nonverbal.
- Teach and instruct the patient to use relaxation techniques.
- Collaboration of analgesics.
- Anticipate if there is pain.
- Provide comfort to the client.
- To reduce pain.
3. Impaired verbal communication related to vocal cord injury.
Goal: verbal communication breakdowns resolved.
Outcomes:
- Being able to create a method of communication in which needs can be understood.
Interventions :
- Assess speech function periodically.
- Keep communication simple.
- Provide appropriate alternative communication methods.
- To determine the condition of the client.
- In order not to force the client to speak.
- Adjust to the client's condition.
