Nursing Care Plan for Ovarian Cancer: Key Focus Areas
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women around the world. According to the World Health Organisation, about 300,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, of which almost 75% are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Advanced ovarian cancer requires early observation and support as part of care for patients. In older women and especially in post-menopausal women, this disease can be aggressive and silent. Thus, having a feasible, individualised nursing care plan is a vital component of symptom management, quality of life / social care, and enhanced recovery.
At Olive Elder Care, we understand the challenges for older patients with cancer treatment. This tool will break down the important components of ovarian cancer and how nursing care can meaningfully support all aspects of assessment, diagnosis, interventions, and evaluation.
What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, which create eggs and produce female hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. There are three main types:
- Epithelial tumours: Most common; starts in the outer lining
- Germ cell tumours: Develop in egg-producing cells
- Stromal tumours: Begin in hormone-producing tissue
Common symptoms include:
- Bloating or swelling that lasts over one (1) month
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urgency/frequency to urinate
- Unexplained weight loss
Unfortunately, too often these signs and symptoms are misinterpreted as other illnesses, delaying the diagnosis. It is at this point that an established plan for ovarian cancer care is very helpful in managing the disease.
Related Learning: Nursing Care Plan for Cancer Patients
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Ovarian Cancer
An individualised nursing care plan for a patient with ovarian cancer is a plan that serves as a guide for nurses to provide individualised care according to the patient's needs, diagnosis, and treatment stage.
The individual care plan includes:
- Detailed patient assessments
- Accurate nursing diagnosis
- Appropriate nursing interventions with rationales
- Reevaluation of progress
This method allows for older patients to receive individualised, age-appropriate and compassionate support through the options of surgery, chemotherapy, or palliative care within geriatric nursing.
Nursing Assessment for Ovarian Cancer
The first step of care plan development is the nursing assessment. Nursing assessment is the gathering of information through observation, patient reports, and tests.
Aspects of assessment include the following:
- Vital signs: blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation
- Physical signs/symptoms: abdominal pain, abdominal distension, changes in bowel habits.
- Affective state: anxiety, depression, fear.
- Nutritional state: change in appetite, weight loss
- Functional ability: ability to walk, ability to dress, ability to perform ADLs
- Chemotherapy side effects: alopecia, nausea, fatigue
A thorough and accurate assessment will allow the nurse to identify nursing interventions that are appropriate and recognise a holistic approach to patient care.
Learn more about Nursing Care Plans for Breast Cancer Patients.
Nursing Diagnosis for Ovarian Cancer
Nurses identify potential or actual health problems according to the assessment. A nursing diagnosis that would apply to ovarian cancer could address the physical and emotional difficulties faced by the patient. Common nursing diagnoses may include:
- Acute pain related to pressure from the tumour or post-operative recovery
- Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirements
- Risk for infection because of chemotherapy or surgical incisions
- Disturbed body image because of physical changes
- Anxiety or fear associated with possible cancer and prognosis
- Fatigue as a consequence of cancer or treatment
These diagnoses create the basis for an effective ovarian cancer care plan that will inform the nursing team of priority tasks and care.
Learn more about Nursing Care Plans for Cervical Cancer Patients.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales for Ovarian Cancer
Every intervention has clinical reasoning behind it to justify the actions.
1. Pain Control
Intervention: Administer analgesics as prescribed, and use relief techniques before analgesics when appropriate; e.g. warm compress, distraction techniques, or relaxation techniques.
Rationale: Helps to reduce discomfort and enhance rest, as well as mobility.
2. Nutrition
Intervention: Offer small, frequent meals; contain foods high in protein and calories; refer to a Dietitian.
Rationale: Serves the healing and energy requirements of the treatment - chemotherapy, and surgery.
3. Infection Prevention.
Intervention: Educates on hand hygiene, monitors incision sites, provides information on signs of infection, and is aware of the side effects of immunosuppression.
Rationale: The risk of infection increases with chemotherapy, and the patients are immunosuppressed.
4. Counselling and Emotional support.
Intervention: Allow time to express fears, involve family members in the discussion, and refer to a mental health professional if appropriate.
Rationale: Emotional status has a physical effect, both as a disease process and a consideration of compliance with treatment.
5. Fatigue Management
Intervention: Encourage rest between any activity, suggest a quiet background, and encourage light physical activity if tolerated.
Rationale: help reduce exhaustion and improve energy management, which is impacted by the treatment.
6. Support for body image
Intervention: Encourage self-exploration and self-expression, provide a resource such as wigs or headscarves to assist patient adjustment, and provide access to support groups.
Rationale: Assist the patient in adjusting to physical changes in ability and enhance patient self-esteem.
Each of the above interventions exemplifies a well-organised nursing care plan for ovarian cancer, particularly for older adult patients who need additional attention to care, including a high level of compassion.
Learn more about Nursing Care Plans for Lung Cancer Patients.
Nursing Evaluation for Ovarian Cancer
Evaluation allows us to assess if care goals are achieved and whether modifications to the plan are needed. Some considerations would include, but largely not included depending upon the individual:
- Less pain (patient report)
- Improvement in appetite or weight stability
- No evidence of infection or other complications
- Emotionally better and acceptance of body changes
- Better treatment tolerance
With ongoing evaluation, we ensure that the plan remains centred on the patient and is effective as the condition changes.
Why Should You Choose Olive Eldercare?
Olive Elder Care specialises in elder care, palliative care, and cancer-specific counselling services. Our trained nursing team will develop an individualised ovarian cancer care plan that respects the dignity, comfort and independent nature of each patient.
Whether your loved one is currently undergoing treatment, recovering from surgery, or simply needs support, Olive Elder Care is available to support your loved one every step of the way.
Consider geriatric counselling available through Olive Elder Care to ensure your loved one receives the care they deserve.
Learn more about Nursing Care Plans for Liver Cancer Patients.
Bottom Line
A systematic nursing care plan can effectively care for the medical and mental challenges associated with ovarian cancer treatment. This is truly important for elderly patients when nursing care is present, as engaging in a focused, compassionate, and flexible approach promotes a more dignified, gentler path to comfort and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
A nursing diagnosis for instances of ovarian cancer identifies individually-specific problems such as acute pain or risk of infection, and anxiety or burden of risk of malnutrition. This allows caregivers to create a care plan using individualised plans.
Nursing holds a primary responsibility to track symptoms, identify symptoms needing management or medications, watch for early signs of infection, and prepare for end-of-life support. Their role is to improve a patient’s comfort through the daily emotional care, and their well-being is not overlooked during treatment.
Top nursing priorities include pain management, emotional support, preventing infection, and nutritional balance. An elderly patient may also require nursing support with mobility and activities of daily living.
Typically, treatment is surgery, chemotherapy, and potentially radiation therapy. Nursing plays a supportive role through the entire cycle of care, managing the side effects of treatment, and supporting the patient with their overall recovery.
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