Republic of the Philippines

University of the Northern Philippines

College of Nursing
Vigan City

Instructional Material
in

NCM 106/ NCM 112

Care of Clients with Cellular Aberrations

Module 1

Julieta T. Guinid, MAN, EdD.

Greggie A. Talingdan, MAN
2020

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 NCM 106: Care of Clients with Cellular aberrations

About this Module

This module presents relevant basic principles and concepts about cancer. Cancer is one of the
dreaded chronic pathologic conditions that is greatly affecting the human person across the life span. It
also discusses how cancer starts as a disease process and how slowly it affects the quality of life
physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and economically.

In this module, the different etiologic factors of caner, the method of diagnosis and treatment will
be presented. The content of this module reflects the application of the nursing process, which is the core
of nursing practice.

After reading this module, you are expected to know the concept map of cancer and the different
diagnostic and nursing care management.

After each lesson, are questions for you to answer.

Good luck!

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 Chapter 1
Pathophysiologic Concepts in Cellular Aberrations

INTRODUCTION

The experience of cancer precipitates many stressful feelings and reactions, such as anxiety,
anger, denial, shame, guilt and uncertainty. The diagnostic tests, the medical treatment, the prognosis,
the body changes, the reactions of the family and friends, the process and experience of hospitalization,
the financial difficulty and the perceived changes in life style and quality of life – all take part in the
outcome of the disease process – CANCER.

Cancer is as old as the ages. It was recognized by skilled observers who gave the name “CANCER”
(Latin, cancri, which means crab) because it stretches out in many directions like the legs of the crab
(Udan,2017).

Cancer should be regarded as a disease process which begins when abnormal cells are derived
from normal cell by some poorly understood mechanism of change (Smeltzer & Bare, 2004).
It should be noted that cancer is not a single disease with one cause, rather it is a group of distinct
diseases with different etiologies, manifestations, treatments and nursing care. Despite the significant
advances in cancer detection and treatment, it continues to be the second leading cause of death
globally in 2018 (WHO).
Health education on cancer prevention and early detection is one great role the nurse must
venture into. The nurse is also expected to give individualized care to clients under her/his care. Similarly,
she/he should be knowledgeable on the disease process, side effects of drugs and treatments and most
of all give emphasis on the essentials of CARING.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the Chapter, you are expected to:

1. Identify the nurse’s role in the prevention of caner and in health education.
2. Discuss the pathophysiology of cancer.
3. Apply the nursing process in the care of clients with cancer;
* Assess client’s condition and identify clinical manifestations
* Formulate nursing diagnosis/diagnoses based on the assessment data;
* Implement appropriate nursing care during the diagnosis and treatment phase
* Integrate health education in the care of clients with cancer
* Evaluate the nursing care rendered
4. Practice ethical standards of care to clients
5. Discuss research findings and updates in nursing are management of cancer

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 6. Value the nurses’ role in providing quality, comprehensive, individualized and humane
care of clients with cancer.

ACTIVITY 1

1. Give a situation where the following are observed. Is this a normal process or not. Explain.
● Hyperplasia
● Hypertrophy
● Dysplasia
II. Match ach term with the appropriate definition or description.
____ 1. Leiomyoma a. Results in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation
____2. Fibroma b. Neoplasm confined to the site of origin.
____3. Neoplasia c. Benign neoplasm that arises in adipose tissue
____4. Carcinogens d. Grow anywhere in the body but are frequently found in the uterus
____5. Apoptosis e. A cancer of connective tissues
____6. Carcinoma in situ f. Reverse cellular development in a more embryonic cell type.
____7. Sarcoma g. Benign neoplasm of smooth muscle in origin, most common in women.
____8. Lipoma h. Factors associated with cancer causation
____9. Metaplasia i. Abnormal cellular changes and growth of new tissues.
___10. Anaplasia k. Replacement of one adult cell type by a different adult cell type.