what should a nurse teach a patient with pancreas cancer?

[peachmouse]

What should a nurse teach a patient with pancreas cancer? The patient is 39 and had received chemo (late 2009) and a whipple procedure (Jan. 2010) but the cancer has returned. The only thing he complained of was some pain which he had hot compresses applied too.

[Silas]

Coping. Doesn't pancreatic cancer have a 20% survival rate after five years regardless of treatment? 39-44 is awfully young to die.

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

Yeah, pancreatic cancer does not have a great prognosis. Depending on the pt's prognosis, you might want to educate about hospice. And definitely pain control, as the cancer can be extremely painful and require narcotics to control. Many people get nervous over the thought of taking narcotics, especially as the dosages continue to increase over time...

[stillwating]

My aunt died of pancreatic cancer, I would teach the patient coping skills, encourage them to utilize pain control if they aren't comfortable or disagree with taking drugs like morphine (my aunt was against drug use and didn't want to take her pain med's), encourage them to talk with the Hospital pastor, priest, or whatever religious person from the domination that the patient requires, and maybe if their family cannot handle them passing away at home educate them on the benefits of Hospice.