RESPONSE

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.

Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.

Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

DISCUSSION:

Concepts from theories could be used in planning the 65-year-old woman’s care

The psychosocial assessment of a patient is an extremely important part of nursing care, but often under-prioritized in preference to immediate physical care requirements (Parry & Hill, 2015). A therapeutic mastectomy is indicated for patients with a breast malignancy who are not candidates for breast-conserving therapy or who prefer mastectomy. The psychosocial assessment of this patient should be extremely important part of nursing care and should not be under-prioritized in preference to immediate physical care requirements. Psychosocial theories, like the Bronfenbrenner and Erikson, provided theoretical knowledge of the impact of psychological and social factors on clients’ health and recovery.

How might her care be changed if the woman were 25 years old or 45 years old?

One area her care will be different will be the choice of mastectomy she gets. The types of mastectomy used in modern breast surgery include modified radical mastectomy (MRM), simple (total) mastectomy, skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM), and nipple-areolar sparing mastectomy (NSM). She might not deem socially active for an immediate reconstruction; hence MRM or simple mastectomy will be performed. Unlike in 25 years old or 45-years old women, immediate reconstruction will be essential, therefore SSM or NSM will be considered. Often, the underlying reasons seem to be multifactorial and related to socioeconomic factors, including access to care, insurance coverage, education, and race/ethnicity, as well as geographic location, age and personal choice (Monica et al., 2014).

Promoting breast cancer awareness

October and all year long, is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of breast health with activities, incentives and educational resources are highlighted. Social activities are lined up for breast cancer research, awareness and screening throughout the month. Through research, we know that awareness, education and early detection often make a difference. The awareness might have work best post mastectomy when patients are aware that they can reconstruct irrespective of age. Outcomes research on quality-of-life improvements and psychosocial benefits associated with breast reconstruction served as the driving force for the 1998 Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act, which mandated health care payer coverage of breast reconstruction (Monica et al., 2014).

Psychology theories in clinical practice area

According to Cobo-Cuenca et al. (2019), women with breast cancer had a good satisfaction with life (LISAT) overall; the sexual aspect was evaluated as the lowest in terms of life satisfaction. Marital status, occupation, surgical treatment and self-esteem are associated with the LISAT. As an advance practice nurses, we should know the variables that influence life satisfaction of women with breast cancer to plan and conduct appropriate care.

References

Cobo-Cuenca, A. I., Martín-Espinosa, N. M., Rodríguez-Borrego, M. A., & Carmona-Torres, J. M. (2019). Determinants of satisfaction with life and self-esteem in women with breast cancer. Quality of Life Research: An International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation, 28(2), 379–387. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1007/s11136-018-2017-y

Monica, M., Yun, L., Amy K., A., Reshma, J., Ann S., H., John J., G., Sarah T., H., & Steven J., K. (2014). Access to Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy and Patient Perspectives on Reconstruction Decision Making. JAMA Surgery, 149(10), 1015–1021. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2014.548

Parry, Y. K., & Hill, P. (2015). Applying psychosocial theories for nursing students. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 23(6), 49.