Palliative nursing care for persons with advanced lung cancer: The role of Advance Practice Nurse

Abstract

During their illness trajectory, advanced stage lung cancer patients have to face physical symptoms, adverse effects from medical treatments and their disease progression inevitably. The care approach should focus on palliation of their physical symptoms that cause sufferings and delaying disease progression in order to optimize quality of life for both patients and their families. This article demonstrates the roles of APNs in providing palliative care for advanced lung cancer patients, starting from the beginning of their medical care. We applied the principles of palliative care and Advance Practice Nurse Competencies in order to analyze health problems in each patient. We also apply evidence-based nursing care to the care at each stage of their disease, based on health deviation self-care. Finally, we proposed the appropriate approach of nursing care in patients with advanced lung cancer.