Care of the patient with a metastatic brain tumor in the end stage of the disease: Case study

Neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of diseases in terms of clinical presentation and treatment options. The end stage of neoplastic disease is the final stage of treatment and life. Patients become dependent and require constant help in all areas of life. One of the causes of this condition is secondary brain neoplasm. The disease progresses quickly, giving symptoms such as headaches, vision disturbances, cognitive disturbances, or epileptic seizures. The aim of this study was to show the tasks and role of a nurse in the care of the patient with advanced neoplastic disease. Research problems covered in the paper consist of patient care problems and the specific nature of care. The paper describes the impact of the disease on the quality of life of the patient, the type of support he or she requires and the need for a specific type of nursing care. Principles of such care are based on a holistic approach to the patient, i.e., an approach which takes into account human functioning in the biological, mental, social, and spiritual spheres. Such care can only be provided through close cooperation of the entire interdisciplinary team. An individual case study method with the description of the nursing process was used in this study. The following research methods were used: the Barthel Index, the Beck Depression Inventory, the ECOG Scale of Performance Status, the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the MNA questionnaire, and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.