After completing this course you’ll be able to:
| 1. | Explain at least 7 major points to consider when breaking bad news to patients. |
| 2. | Identify actions to take after breaking bad news to patients. |
| 3. | Discuss psychological problems faced by patients newly diagnosed with cancer. |
| 4. | Explain how to discuss advanced directive planning with patients and families. |
| 5. | Explain the difference between addiction and physical dependence. |
| 6. | Identify ways that cancer patients can overcome their fear of becoming addicted to prescribed pain medications. |
| 7. | Identify common side effects of opioid medications. |
| 8. | Discuss religious beliefs that may affect patients’ and families’ attitudes about use of pain medications. |
| 9. | Identify strategies to increase compliance with medication orders. |
| 10. | Describe the impact health-care professionals can have on a pain management plan. |
| 11. | Identify the components of a good death. |
| 12. | Explain the effects of conflicting views of patients, families, and caregivers. |
| 13. | Discuss ways to identify and reconcile priorities of patients, families, and caregivers. |
| 14. | Identify ways to help patients and families transition from active treatment to comfort care. |
| 15. | Describe benefits of hospice care. |
| 16. | Explain how to deal with requests for patient-assisted suicide. |
| 17. | Identify techniques for caring for self when caring for cancer patients. |
| 18. | Explain the ACHPR guidelines to assess pain in cancer patients. |
| 19. | Describe the use of pain intensity scales. |
| 20. | Compare somatic, visceral, and neuropathic pain. |
| 21. | Discuss the affective and cognitive dimensions of cancer pain. |
| 22. | Identify symptoms of delirium that may be exhibited by cancer patients. |
| 23. | Identify social, cultural, and familial attitudes that can affect assessment and treatment of cancer pain. |
| 24. | Explain the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of cancer pain. |
| 25. | Identify ways to prevent NSAID toxicity. |
| 26. | Discuss guidelines for use of opioid medications in treating cancer pain. |
| 27. | Explain the use of the analgesic ladder in treating cancer pain. |
| 28. | Explain why meripidine should not be used for chronic cancer pain. |
| 29. | Compare and contrast various methods of administering opioid medications. |
| 30. | Describe ways to manage common side effects caused by opioid medications. |
| 31. | Discuss the occurrence and management of respiratory depression. |
| 32. | Discuss three categories of medications used as adjuvant analgesia. |
| 33. | Explain the use of anesthetic agents in treating cancer pain. |
| 34. | Explain how to implement a pain management plan. |
| 35. | Discuss the use of body-based methods of treating cancer pain. |
| 36. | Explain common mind-body interventions used for pain management. |
| 37. | Explain ways to manage anxiety and depression experienced by cancer patients. |
| 38. | Identify effective ways to manage common oral complications experienced by cancer patients. |
| 39. | Discuss the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. |
| 40. | Discuss treatment of common respiratory problems cancer patients may have. |
| 41. | Describe recognition and treatment of skin problems that may be associated with various forms of cancer and cancer treatment. |
| 42. | Discuss pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of insomnia. |
| 43. | Describe strategies for dealing with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and anorexia. |
| 44. | Discuss the role of a palliative care team. |
| 45. | Identify qualities care givers must have when caring for dying patients. |
| 46. | Describe signs that indicate that a transition to the last days of life is occurring. |
| 47. | Explain how to provide support for families of dying patients. |
| 48. | Discuss problems and needs of inpatient staff caring for dying patients. |
| 49. | Identify manifestations of death that occur in the last 1-2 weeks before death. |
| 50. | Describe strategies used to manage the symptoms occurring during the last days of life. |
| 51. | Explain how to manage agitation in the last days. |
| 52. | Discuss the steps of the mourning process experienced by the bereaved family. |
| 53. | Describe techniques that can be implemented in an effective bereavement program. |