Nursing solutions for difficult cases

EAUN session on special nursing interventions elicits enthusiastic responses

At the 13th International EAUN Meeting held in Paris in February this year, the session on Nursing Solutions for Difficult Cases attracted positive comments with many of the participants expressing their appreciation for the clear and practical solutions described by the speakers.

Due to the enthusiastic response, the Difficult Cases session has become a regular feature in the EAUN’s annual conference, informing urology nursing specialists of effective interventions and special handling procedures. After the lectures, the speakers and the audience also had the opportunity to discuss specifi c aspects. We are publishing on this page the submissions of the two speakers who spoke on the topics parasitic infestation in the urologic patient and lymphedema treatment following lymph node removal.

DC12-01 Parasitic infestation in the urologic patient

1. What was the problem you experienced in this patient?

Two separate patients were referred for further evaluation of their urological cancers. Patient A was a 46 year old male with a possible prostate malignancy. Patient B was a 32 year old male with a possible bladder malignancy. Both patients presented with atypical fi ndings from outside urology MD.

2. Which nursing intervention did you provide?

Careful history taking and assessment by the nurse and medical staff helped direct the surgeon in making the correct diagnosis. Patient A was diagnosed with a hydatid cyst, a condition not seen the US. Patient B was diagnosed with schistosomiasis, a condition seen in Africa, particularly in Egypt.

3. Which materials did you choose to help the patient?

• A comprehensive nursing assessment including recent travel
• Cystoscopy
• CT scan
• UA
• Patient education of anti-parasitic medications and compliance
• Psychosocial support by the Clinical Nurse Specialist

4. What were the results of your intervention?

Both patients were successfully discharged on oral medications. Follow up in the Urology clinic in 3 and 6 weeks to complete evaluation and assess the patients’ psychological adjustment.

Nora Love-Retinger Rn, MS, CURN, CNSMemorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer CenterDept. of UrologyNew York NY (USA)

loven@mskcc.org