NAME: Ruth Ken

HIGHLANDS REGIONAL COLLEGE OF

NURSING
DGN 101
F U N D A M E N TA L S T U D I E S F O R N U R S I N G
PRACTICE
YEAR: ONE (2019)

CASE STUDY
TITLE:
F E M A L E C A N C E R PAT I E N T
G O R O K A G E N E R A L H O S P I TA L ( WA R D 1 )
INTRODUCTION

This case study will be basically about a female patient seen at the Goroka Base hospital. The
patient seen was admitted to the hospital on the 11thof April 2019 with the diagnosis of Cancer
(CA) of the uterus. She has been suffering from this illness for quite sometimes and is in very
serious condition.

Actually, the cancer is the very dreadful illness that destroys the body tissues of the human
being. They are many different types of cancers found in the human body. Some cancers can be
treated while others cannot be treated. The cancer itself is very deadly disease and is found
anywhere in the human body. According to Rachel Nall MSN CRMN,“It describes the disease
when cellular changes cause the uncontrolled growth and division of cells. Some types of cancer
cause rapid growth, while others cause cells to grow and divide at a slow rate;” (12th November
2018).

Basically, my study will be about the patient that I have seen at the hospital with the
Choriocacinoma(cancer of the uterus).According to Rockville Pike,”The choriocacinoma is a
fast growing cancer that occurs in a woman’s uterus [womb]. The abnormal cells that would
normally become the placenta. This is the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the
fetus.,”(April 19 2018).

The choriocacinoma is a gestational trophoblastic disease. According to Chris Caporcia he

explains that, “Gestational trophoblastic disease is a group of rare tumors that involve
abnormal growth of cells inside a woman’s uterus.”(November 27 2017)

Therefore, we will be looking at the patient’s particulars, condition, diagnosis, general

observation and the signs and symptoms of the disease that she is suffering from.

Dian Brian is a 38 years old female from the Akameku village outside Goroka town. She is
married to Brian and have 5 children (2 boys and 3 girls). Mrs. Brian was being admitted to
Goroka Base hospital with the following signs and symptoms.
Ward Doctor’s report, “She had been complaining of the amenorrhea for some months and then
develops severe lower abdominal pain some 3 weeks ago, also she was having severe backache
and having slight bleeding via her vagina and some small blood cloth. Usually she is bleeding
heavily in the mornings and also seen large blood cloths. She was reported that she is changing
pads 2-3 times a day soaked heavy with blood.” (Doctor Wemin, Ward one 12th April 2019)

Sometimes she felt dizzy and at times fainted at home, however, after the last time she fainted,
she was rushed to the A&E (Accident and Emergency) of the Goroka Hospital and had being
admitted.

The patient was being interrogated by the Doctor and was informed of her condition that it was a
serious case so she would properly go for an operation to remove the choriocacinoma cancer.
Her date of going for an operation is set on the 24th of April 2019.

According to the Doctor, the only way to serve the patient is to go through the operation and
remove the growth.

Vital Signs

The vital signs that were taken sixth hourly (qid) for the patient for three days are tabled
below.

Day/dates Time Temperature Pulse Respiration Blood

Pressure
Degree Per/minute Per/minute
Celsius

13/04/19 6am 36.8 105/min 20/min 101/50

Saturday 10am 37 97/min 20/min 116/78

2pm 37 75/min 20/min 113/75

14/04/19 6am 37.2 100/min 22/min 105/64

Sunday 10am 37.5 100/min 20/min 115/76

2pm 36.8 98/min 23/min 110/58

15/04/19 6am 37.2 100/min 22/min 116/78

Monday 10am 36.5 98min 20/min 114/76

2pm 36.6 97/min 23/min 115/78

From the vital signs, we can assume that the patient’s temperature for the last reading is
abnormal, for the pulse taken for the last 3 days is also abnormal but for the respirations they are
all normal. We also notice that the blood pressure is abnormal. Meaning that through vital signs
observation the patient is in life threatening condition.

The nursing procedure applied was, I have actually done to my patient was to message her back,
turning the patient around and she was sit in upright position. I was told that her guardian left her
some minutes ago and have no one to look after her. As we were telling stories and chatting I
asked if I could message her back and she said, yes. I started to message her back while having a
conversation. I message for less than 2 minutes than I asked again to change her bed and she
agreed. She gave me a clean bed cover and I changed her bed by removing the dirty sheets. The
patient was very happy.

Before leaving the room I asked the sister in charge to look at her admission notes, after looking
through for some minutes I left for home.

General Observations

1. Appearance

The patient looks obviously sick and in pain.

2. Movement

Moving slowly in pain but could smiles and response to me.

3. Posture

Would not sit up straight due to pain and uncomfortable.

4. Breathing

Was breathing normal but regularly.

5. Colour

Mucous membrane was a bit pale ++. She was looking a bit pale in color

6. Face

The face looks clean and healthy. It is clean and dry as normal.

7. Mental Attitude

Her mental abilities were ok because she response well when I try talking to her.

Summary of the case study

Actually, my patient Mrs. Brian was in severe pain and looks very sick, because she has been
suffering from the deadly illness the cancer called choriocacinoma. This type of cancer is
commonly found in woman. The only option the patient have is to go through the operation to
remove the growth and to serve her life.

By looking at the vital signs, one would assume that Dian Brian is in severe condition that needs
special care and management. I presume that after going through the operation she would
improve and return home.
Conclusion

In conclusion, the cancer itself is the very dangerous and can kill anybody regardless of both
male and female. However, it can be treated or can be operated to remove the growth. It is now
the responsibility of everyone in the community to make sure you come to the health facility to
know your health status.

Recommendation

It is very important for you as an individual to make you review with the doctor to make sure
you are well and healthy. We would say, it is very important that when you show a sign of
cancer you must report to the doctor to check yourself.

Reference

Doctor’s Report On the Chart, Dr Wemin (Gynecologist), 12th April 2019

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/3231648.php12th November 2018.

https:medicineplus.org/ency/article/001496.htm. November 27 2017.

https;//thewomanhealth.blogspot.com/2017/06 understanding-gestational-trophoblastic-html.
April 19 2018.