Emergency Department Nursing Considerations for Oncology Patients

Oncology patients are unique, as are emergency situations associated with this specialty. This course will examine the many reasons oncology patients present to the emergency department, identify appropriate intervention and surveillance, as well as discuss risk factors and symptom management within this medically fragile population.

This course is intended for nurses who may treat oncology patients (those with cancer) in the emergency department. The course is designed to provide nurses and other healthcare professionals with information required to effectively identify and care for oncology patients in an emergency department setting.

Questions? Check out our FAQs page and How Online IV Certification Works!

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Define oncology and identify patients within this specialty.
  2. Discuss common urgent oncology issues.
  3. Identify risk factors associated with oncology population.
  4. Recognize symptoms of common oncologic emergencies.
  5. Describe appropriate interventions for oncologic emergencies.

Curriculum

Chapter One: Oncology Basics

  • Overview
    • Oncology and Population
    • Risk Factors
  • Importance of Timely Intervention Upon Arrival to the ED
  • Central Venous Access Ports
    • Use
    • Sterile Technique

Chapter Two: Common Urgent Issues Among Oncology Patients

  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Pain
  • Anemia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions

Chapter Three: Oncologic Emergencies

  • Sepsis & Septic Shock
  • Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS)
  • Spinal Cord Compression
  • Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
  • Cardiac Tamponade
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS)
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)

Chapter Four: References

  • California Bill 241
  • Implicit Bias in Healthcare
  • What is Implicit Bias?
  • Implications of Implicit Bias in Healthcare
  • How to Reduce Implicit Bias

 

Price: $10.00

Contact Hour: 1

Course Author

HTRSD.org

HTRSD is a provider of continuing education training focused on human trafficking and other social disparities for health care providers, as well as courses that address nurses' health and well-being and under-served topics in advanced critical care.

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Course Accreditation

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