title: [Pathophysiological changes in a lung cancer patient suffering from pleural effusion: a case analysis].
abstract: Pleural effusion--perhaps the most common and serious complication among lung cancer patients--causes dyspnea, chest pain, and coughing, leading to a painful series of examinations, treatments, and additional complications. This exerts a strong effect on the functional status and psychological well-being of cancer patients, requiring special treatment responses on the part of nursing professionals. The authors introduce concepts related to pathophysiology, etiology, and the clinical assessment of pleural effusion, using a single case study to compare clinical data with theoretical and empirical knowledge. An individualized nursing intervention developed for this particular case is presented and discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, National Defense University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hsueh-Hsing
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Kwua-Yun
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology