NCLEX-PN

●​ Radiation Therapy : Cancer treatment involving therapeutic radiation carries risks like radiation pneumonitis, skin erythema, and skin sloughing, as well as the potential for multiple systems fibrosis. ●​ Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy can result in side effects such as alopecia (hair loss), ulcerations of the oral mucous membranes, and an increased susceptibility to infections. Nurses play a vital role in caring for clients undergoing these procedures and should apply their knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills to ensure safe and effective care: ●​ During a cardiac catheterization, vigilant monitoring is crucial to promptly identify any cardiac arrhythmias. ●​ Clients with casted extremities should be assessed for limb-threatening compartment syndrome. ●​ Maintaining strict aseptic techniques is essential, especially for clients at risk of infection due to chemotherapy. ●​ When administering tube feedings, nurses should ensure the client is positioned at a minimum of 30 degrees to prevent aspiration. Monitoring Clients for Signs of Bleeding Bleeding and hemorrhage are potential complications associated with various surgical procedures, medical treatments, and underlying health conditions such as leukemia, cirrhosis, ulcers, and coagulation disorders. Severe bleeding can lead to hypovolemic shock, which progresses through several stages. ●​ Initial Stage : characterized by hypoxia and anaerobic cell respiration leading to lactic acidosis ●​ Compensatory Stage : characterized by the employment of neural, hormonal, and biochemical mechanisms in the body’s attempt to reverse the condition ●​ Progressive Stage : compensatory mechanisms will begin to fail. If the crisis is not treated successfully, vital organs might be compromised ●​ Refractory and Irreversible Stage : vital organs have failed and the shock can no longer be reversed, leading to imminent death Signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock vary with its stage and include hypotension, tachycardia, poor tissue perfusion, hyperventilation, reduced cardiac output, decreased urinary output, metabolic acidosis, increased blood viscosity, and multi-organ failure.

Effective treatment strategies aim to address the underlying cause and may include:

●​ Fluid replacement with solutions like lactated Ringer's and blood products. ●​ Placement of the client in the Trendelenburg position.

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