Nursing for A Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy

Abstract

     The objective of this case study was to study nursing for a renal cell carcinoma patient undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy by applying Gordon's nursing theory in nursing practice as the instrument in assessing the health conditions of the patient for nursing diagnosis, planning, practice and evaluation preoperatively, perioperatively and postoperatively while the patient is recovering from illness and safe from crisis.  The study was conducted on a Thai widower female patient aged 72 years who had been admitted to Ang Thong Hospital for treatment with pain in his right abdomen and bloody urine. The doctor diagnosed right renal cell carcinoma and planned treatment by laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The surgical nurse visited the patient before the surgery in the women’s special surgical ward and found that the patient had anxiety about kidney cancer and fear of surgery. The surgical nurse offered knowledge on preoperative preparation, as well as the perioperative and postoperative phases.  The nurse also made follow-up visits to assess nursing care conditions in the ward in addition to instructing and advising on resources once the patient was discharged back home.
     In this case study, the researcher applied Gordon's nursing theory with nursing practice concepts procedures in systematically sequencing the activities associated with each stage of care for the patient admitted for surgery. As a result, the kidney cancer patient undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy received effective surgical nursing services.  The patient was safe and received quality nursing services suitable for the problem without complications from endoscopic surgery.