Evolution of Self-Care in Leukemia Patients and Implications for Nurses

Abstract

Leukemia is a group of malignant disorders of white blood cells. In leukemia, the usual ratio of greater numbers of red blood cells than white blood cells are reversed. Bone marrow is gradually replaced by immature, abnormal cells. Eventually, these abnormal cells spill into the circulation and invade other organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. If the disease is not treated, leukemic cells replace all normal blood cells, leading to death. Nursing care focuses on the physical and psychosocial effects of the disease and its treatment. The patient and significant other must be taught about the drugs and self-care. Self-care is a learned behavior with deliberate actions responding to need, includes activities an individual performs to maintain health. Nurses are in key positions to facilitate the achievement of self-care which requires sophisticated communication skills, teaching skills, specialized knowledge and an awareness of the multiple factors affecting nurse-patient relationship during the provision of care. Nurses are responsible for initiating, updating, and reinforcing patients learning.