Mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts either partially or completely. A mastectomy is usually carried out to treat or prevent breast cancer. Surgical management for patients with breast cancer usually involves lumpectomy or mastectomy. In many cases, radiation therapy is combined with surgery.
Types of breast surgery include:
- Total (simple) mastectomy – removal of breast tissue and nipple
- Modified radical mastectomy – removal of the breast, most of the lymph nodes under the arm, and often the lining over the chest muscles
- Lumpectomy – surgery to remove the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it
Nursing Care Plans
Providing perioperative nursing care for patients who are to undergo Mastectomy is an integral part of the therapeutic regimen. The nursing goal is to provide support, alleviating anxiety, managing pain, and providing information.
Here are 15+ nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for a patient undergoing Mastectomy:
- Fear/Anxiety
- Impaired Skin Integrity
- Acute Pain
- Situational Low Self-Esteem
- Impaired Physical Mobility
- Deficient Knowledge
- Risk for Injury
- Impaired Skin Integrity
- Activity Intolerance
- Risk for Ineffective Breathing Pattern
- Risk for Infection
- Ineffective Therapeutic Management
- Risk for Dysfunctional Grieving
- Ineffective Peripheral Tissue Perfusion
- Fear
- Other Possible Nursing Care Plans
Fear/Anxiety
Nursing Diagnosis
- Fear
- Anxiety
May be related to
- Threat of death, e.g., extent of disease
- Threat to self-concept: change of body image; scarring, loss of body part, sexual attractiveness
- Change in health status
Possibly evidenced by
- Increased tension; apprehension; feelings of helplessness/inadequacy
- Decreased self-assurance
- Self-focus; restlessness; sympathetic stimulation
- Expressed concerns regarding actual/anticipated changes in life
Desired Outcomes
- Client will acknowledge and discuss concerns.
- Client will demonstrate appropriate range of feelings.
- Client will report fear and anxiety are reduced to a manageable level.
Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
---|---|
Check out and explore what information the patient has about diagnosis, expected surgical intervention, and future therapies. Note presence of denial or extreme anxiety. | Provides knowledge base for the nurse to enable the reinforcement of needed information, and helps identify patient with high anxiety, low capacity for information processing, and need for special attention. Note: Denial may be useful as a coping method for a time, but extreme anxiety needs to be dealt with immediately. |
Ascertain purpose and preparation for diagnostic tests. | More understanding of procedures and what is happening increases feelings of control and lessens anxiety. |
Implement an ambiance of concern, openness, and availability, as well as privacy for patient and SO. Suggest that SO be present as much as possible. | Time and privacy are needed to provide support, discuss feelings of anticipated loss and other concerns. Therapeutic communication skills, open questions, listening, and so forth facilitate this process. |
Encourage questions and provide time for expression of fears. Tell patient that stress related to breast cancer can persist for many months and to seek help and support. | Provides an opportunity to identify and clarify misconceptions and offer emotional support. |
Determine the degree of support available to the patient. Give information about community resources, such as Reach to Recovery, YWCA Encore program. Encourage and provide for a visit with a woman who has recovered from a mastectomy. | Can be a helpful resource when patient is ready. A peer who has experienced the same process serves as a role model and can provide validity to the comments, hope for recovery and normal future. |
Consider role of rehabilitation after surgery. | Rehabilitation is an essential component of therapy intended to meet physical, social, emotional, and vocational needs so that the patient can achieve the best possible level of physical and emotional functioning. |
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
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- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other care plans and nursing diagnoses related to reproductive and urinary system disorders:
- Acute Glomerulonephritis | 4 Care Plans
- Acute Renal Failure | 6 Care Plans
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) | 5 Care Plans
- Chronic Renal Failure | 11 Care Plans
- Hemodialysis | 3 Care Plans
- Hysterectomy (TAHBSO) | 6 Care Plans
- Mastectomy | 14+ Care Plans
- Menopause | 6 Care Plans
- Nephrotic Syndrome | 5 Care Plans
- Peritoneal Dialysis | 6 Care Plans
- Prostatectomy | 6 Care Plans
- Urolithiasis (Renal Calculi) | 4 Care Plans
- Urinary Tract Infection | 4 Care Plans
- Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) | 5 Care Plans
THANK YOU FOR HELPING
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