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. |