HOW TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES WHEN CARING FOR CANCER PATIENTS

I. Establishing Emergency Plans

1. Preparing Emergency Contact Information

• Keep treating physician’s phone number in a visible place
• Record nearby hospital emergency room numbers
• Prepare ambulance service contact numbers
• Establish family communication group, maintain smooth information flow

1. Preparing Emergency Supplies

• List and stock commonly used medications
• Organize and store medical records
• Prepare and regularly update first aid kit
• Maintain portable medical equipment

II. Handling Common Emergency Situations

1. Managing Fever

• Measure and record temperature immediately
• Use prescribed fever medication
• Apply physical cooling methods
• Monitor signs of infection
• Seek medical attention when fever exceeds 38.5°C

1. Pain Control

• Assess pain level and characteristics
• Take pain medication on schedule
• Maintain appropriate positions for pain relief
• Use non-medicinal pain control techniques
• Record timing and characteristics of pain

1. Bleeding Situations

• Stay calm, avoid panic
• Implement appropriate hemostasis measures
• Assess blood loss and bleeding location
• Seek medical attention when necessary
• Document bleeding-related information

III. Psychological Crisis Intervention

1. Dealing with Emotional Changes

• Practice patient listening
• Provide emotional support
• Avoid excessive consolation
• Understand patient’s concerns
• Seek psychological counseling when needed

1. Communication Skills

• Use gentle tone of voice
• Maintain eye contact
• Offer physical comfort when appropriate
• Avoid commanding language
• Respect patient’s wishes

IV. Important Aspects of Daily Care

1. Daily Monitoring

• Regular vital signs measurement
• Monitor eating habits
• Pay attention to sleep quality
• Track bowel and urinary habits
• Record weight changes

1. Nutritional Support

• Adjust diet structure
• Have multiple small meals
• Pay attention to food hygiene
• Provide necessary nutritional supplements
• Avoid stimulating foods

V. Preventing Complications

1. Infection Prevention

• Maintain clean environment
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Change bed linens regularly
• Ensure proper room ventilation
• Avoid crowded places

1. Pressure Ulcer Prevention

• Regular position changes
• Use pressure-relieving mattresses
• Keep skin clean and dry
• Appropriate massage to stimulate circulation
• Monitor pressure points

VI. Medical Consultation Guidelines

1. Situations Requiring Immediate Medical Attention:

• Prolonged high fever
• Severe bleeding
• Intense pain
• Changes in consciousness
• Difficulty breathing

1. Situations Requiring Doctor Consultation:

• New symptoms
• Medication side effects
• Significant decrease in appetite
• Severe sleep disturbances
• Notable mood changes

VII. Caregiver Self-Management

1. Psychological Adjustment

• Maintain positive attitude
• Seek support when needed
• Schedule appropriate rest time
• Release emotional pressure
• Maintain social activities

1. Knowledge Accumulation

• Participate in relevant training courses
• Learn first aid knowledge
• Understand disease progression
• Master medication knowledge
• Update caregiving skills

Conclusion

Caring for cancer patients requires a combination of professional knowledge, patience, and compassion. When facing emergencies, staying calm, following medical instructions, and responding promptly are crucial. Meanwhile, caregivers must also attend to their own physical and mental health to provide better care. Through scientific management and timely intervention, the patient’s quality of life can be significantly improved and complications minimized.

Keywords: Cancer patients, emergency situations, emergency handling, care guidelines, psychological support, daily care, complication prevention…