ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To review the oncologic emergency of cardiac tamponade through a case study presentation/analysis and a discussion of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing management. DATA SOURCES: Research studies, review articles, book chapters, abstracts, and clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac tamponade is a potentially life-threatening condition that is not uncommon in the oncology setting. It can result directly from the malignant or metastatic process or from the treatment of the malignancy. Observation and prompt intervention are mandatory to deal effectively with cardiac tamponade. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses play important roles in identifying patients at risk for cardiac tamponade and in recognizing signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade early so this life-threatening emergency can be treated promptly.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma/complications , Cardiac Tamponade/nursing , Pericardial Effusion/etiology , Superior Vena Cava Syndrome/etiology , Thymus Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma/secondary , Carcinoma/therapy , Cardiac Tamponade/etiology , Cardiac Tamponade/surgery , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Oncology Nursing , Thymus Neoplasms/complications , Thymus Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
Thriving at hope's edge daily can be traumatic for some nurses. But cancer patients can give your career more satisfaction than you ever imagined, far surpassing the demands placed on you emotionally. Metastatic cancer ravages a body physically, as well as mentally, muting the rainbow of life with shades of gray. But in every rainbow there is sunlight, which illuminates the colors. Oncology nurses are the sunlight which keeps the rainbow of life from being destroyed. If you are considering a specialty, think about what you could give to the millions of people who will face the diagnosis of cancer this year and for many years to come. Oncology nursing has taught me to have hope even in the worst situations. It has also given me hope that someday there will be a cure for cancer. But until that time comes, being part of a few of the lives affected by it will make my life richer than gold at the end of any rainbow ever could.
