Maricopa Community Colleges  RTT110   20064-20085 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 02/28/06
RTT110 20064-20085 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Radiation Therapy Patient Care
Care of patients undergoing radiation therapy treatments. Examines psychosocial aspects, effects of cancer on the individual, family, siblings, different age groups and cultures. Study of grief, death and dying. Emphasis on patient assessment, treatment side effects, care and education. Includes professional self care.
Prerequisites: HCC200. Corequisites: (RTT101, RTT115, RTT120, and RTT130) or permission of Instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
RTT110   20064-20085 Radiation Therapy Patient Care
1. Given a clinical scenario, describe appropriate care. (I)
2. Discuss psychosocial effects that occur as a result of a cancer diagnosis. (II)
3. Discuss the effects of cancer on the individual and the family. (III)
4. Discuss the effects of cancer on a child and their siblings. (III)
5. Discuss the role of age and culture on the effects of cancer. (III)
6. Develop a plan of care for patients of different ages and cultures. (III)
7. Identify beliefs regarding dying and death. (IV)
8. Describe the process of grief identified by Kubler-Ross (IV)
9. Evaluate significance of side effects based on treatment and doses delivered. (V)
10. Develop a plan of care for expected side effects. (V)
11. Formulate content for answers to frequently asked questions about side effects. (V, VI)
12. Develop a patient education program based on a site specific radiation treatment. (VI)
13. Develop a nutritional program based on a site specific radiation treatment. (VI)
14. Develop a plan for self care. (VII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
RTT110   20064-20085 Radiation Therapy Patient Care
    I. Basic Care Review
        A. Emergency procedures
        B. Safety
        C. Transfer and assistance
        D. Vital Signs
        E. Tubes, drains and Intravenous lines (IV's)
        F. Infection Control
        G. Sterile procedures
      II. Cancer - Psychosocial Effects
          A. Psychological
          B. Physical
          C. Others' reactions
          D. Unknown future
          E. Role changes
          F. Financial liability
          G. Time and energy
          H. The medical system
          I. Loss of independence
          J. Loss of control
          K. Looking for answers
        III. Cancer Effects on
            A. Family members
              1. role changes
              2. treatment and end result memories
            B. Siblings of childhood cancer patients
            C. Patient age groups
              1. infants
              2. children
              3. adolescents
              4. teens
              5. young adults
              6. middle aged
              7. elderly
              8. frail elderly
            D. Diverse cultures
          IV. Death and Dying
              A. Kubler-Ross
              B. Individual beliefs
              C. Working with terminal patients
            V. Site Specific treatment side effects and care
                A. Head and Neck
                  1. expected side effects
                  2. treatment care plan
                  3. patient education
                B. Lung
                  1. expected side effects
                  2. treatment care plan
                  3. patient education
                C. Breast
                  1. expected side effects
                  2. treatment care plan
                  3. patient education
                D. Abdomen
                  1. expected side effects
                  2. treatment care plan
                  3. patient education
                E. Pelvis
                  1. expected side effects
                  2. treatment care plan
                  3. patient education
                F. Extremities
                  1. expected side effects
                  2. treatment care plan
                  3. patient education
                G. Brachytherapy
                  1. High Dose Rate (HDR)
                  2. Radiation Safety requirements
                  3. expected side effects
                  4. treatment care plan
                  5. patient and family education
              VI. Patient Education
                  A. Patient Assessment
                    1. physical
                      a. Karnofsky Score
                      b. needs assessment
                    2. mental/emotional
                      a. level of mental functioning
                      b. emotional stability
                      c. support system available
                    3. nutritional
                      a. current level of nutrition
                      b. ability to cook/obtain food
                      c. food likes and dislikes
                    4. informational
                      a. what is known
                      b. what needs to be known
                      c. what patient wants to know
                  B. Methods of educational delivery
                    1. verbal
                    2. written
                    3. video
                    4. web based
                    5. combination
                  C. Educational Process
                    1. initial
                    2. assess understanding 3 continuing education
                    4. continuing assessment
                    5. follow-up preparation
                VII. Self-Care
                    A. Importance
                      1. ability to provide patient care
                      2. avoidance of burn out
                      3. quality of life
                    B. Components
                      1. assessment
                        a. physical
                        b. mental
                        c. emotional/spiritual
                      2. desired change plan
                        a. specific and doable
                        b. time frame
                        c. barriers and solutions
                        d. consequences
                      3. implementation
                      4. assessment
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