Interconnected care pathways in oncology nursing

Navigating Cancer Care: How Nursing Diagnoses Improve Patient Outcomes

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"A closer look at how standardized nursing language enhances care in oncology units."

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, demanding constant improvements in care strategies. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects a continued rise in cancer cases, underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment approaches.

In Brazil, the National Cancer Institute (INCA) estimates a significant number of new cancer cases annually, highlighting the importance of proactive and preventative healthcare measures. Delivering high-quality, comprehensive care requires healthcare professionals to detect risk factors early and organize effective prevention strategies.

Nursing plays a pivotal role in cancer care, focusing on identifying patient responses and establishing strategies for health recovery and enhanced well-being. Utilizing the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation) ensures holistic and integrated care. Standardized nursing languages such as NANDA, NOC, and NIC are essential tools for achieving precision and promoting scientific rigor in nursing practice.

Mapping Nursing Care: Enhancing Oncology Unit Efficiency

Interconnected care pathways in oncology nursing

A recent study published in Revista de Enfermagem Uerj aimed to identify key nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes for hospitalized oncology patients, utilizing the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA), Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC). This quantitative, cross-sectional study, conducted at a philanthropic hospital in Bahia, Brazil, from March to October 2014, involved 157 patients. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics to reveal prevalent nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions.

The study identified seven prominent NANDA diagnoses, twelve NOC outcomes, and twelve NIC interventions that were formulated for more than half of the study participants. Here’s a closer look at some of the most significant findings:

Risk for Infection: Identified in all 157 patients, primarily linked to treatment-related factors such as chemotherapy and invasive procedures.
Impaired Comfort: Affected 70% of patients. Key characteristics included anxiety and expressed dissatisfaction.
Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements: Observed in 70% of patients, related to difficulty absorbing nutrients and impaired food intake.
Anxiety: Experienced by 70% of patients, stemming from threats to health status and changes in condition.
Fatigue: Reported by over 80% of patients, associated with anemia and malnutrition.

These diagnoses underscore the complex challenges faced by oncology patients and highlight the critical role of nurses in addressing these needs through targeted interventions. The study also emphasized the importance of continuous assessment and tailored care planning to improve patient comfort and overall outcomes.

Moving Forward: Implications for Nursing Practice

This research provides valuable insights for nurses in oncology units, enabling them to identify and address the most common patient needs with greater precision. By utilizing standardized nursing languages, healthcare professionals can enhance their ability to deliver targeted, evidence-based care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

The study underscores the importance of the nursing process and the use of NANDA, NOC, and NIC classifications in creating individualized care plans. Such structured approaches not only streamline care but also empower nurses to advocate for their patients effectively.

While this study offers significant contributions, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. Conducted in a single hospital, the findings may not be fully generalizable to all oncology settings. Future research should aim to explore these concepts in diverse environments to validate and expand upon these findings, further refining nursing practices in cancer care.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.12957/reuerj.2017.15133, Alternate LINK

Title: Mapeamento Dos Diagnósticos, Resultados E Intervenções De Enfermagem De Uma Unidade Oncológica [Mapping Of Nursing Diagnoses, Results And Interventions In An Oncology Unit]

Subject: General Nursing

Journal: Revista Enfermagem UERJ

Publisher: Universidade de Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Authors: Myria Ribeiro Da Silva, Dejeane De Oliveira Silva, Tássia Irineu Dos Santos, Patrícia Peres Oliveira, Andrea Bezerra Rodrigues, Dulce Aparecida Barbosa

Published: 2017-06-30

Everything You Need To Know

Why are standardized nursing languages like NANDA, NOC, and NIC important in cancer care?

In oncology nursing, standardized nursing languages, specifically NANDA, NOC, and NIC, are utilized to ensure accurate and consistent care. NANDA provides a common language for identifying patient problems or nursing diagnoses. NOC offers standardized outcomes to measure the impact of nursing interventions. NIC details specific nursing interventions that can be implemented to achieve the desired outcomes. Together, these languages streamline communication, enhance care planning, and improve patient outcomes in oncology units.

What were some of the most common nursing diagnoses identified in the study of hospitalized oncology patients?

The study highlighted several prevalent nursing diagnoses among hospitalized oncology patients. Risk for Infection was identified in all patients, primarily due to chemotherapy and invasive procedures. Impaired Comfort, Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements, Anxiety, and Fatigue each affected a significant portion of patients. These diagnoses underscore the importance of addressing both the physical and psychological needs of oncology patients through targeted nursing interventions.

How does mapping nursing diagnoses, nursing outcomes and nursing interventions enhance care in oncology?

The research focused on mapping nursing diagnoses using NANDA, nursing outcomes using NOC, and nursing interventions using NIC. This mapping process involved identifying the most common patient needs in an oncology unit and then selecting appropriate NANDA diagnoses to represent these needs. Subsequently, NOC outcomes were chosen to measure improvement in these areas, and NIC interventions were selected to address the diagnoses and achieve the desired outcomes. This structured approach ensures that care is targeted and evidence-based.

According to the research, how can standardized nursing languages improve patient comfort and outcomes in oncology units?

The study showed that the utilization of NANDA, NOC, and NIC can lead to more focused and effective care plans. By identifying common diagnoses such as Risk for Infection, Impaired Comfort, and Imbalanced Nutrition, nurses can implement specific interventions detailed in NIC, such as infection control protocols, pain management techniques, and nutritional support. Measuring patient progress using NOC outcomes allows for continuous assessment and adjustment of care plans, resulting in improved patient comfort and overall outcomes. Continuous assessment and tailored care planning are paramount.

What areas related to standardized nursing languages in oncology need further research based on the study?

While the study identified key nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions for hospitalized oncology patients, it did not delve into the economic impact of utilizing standardized nursing languages. Future research could explore whether the implementation of NANDA, NOC, and NIC reduces healthcare costs by improving efficiency and reducing complications. Additionally, further studies could investigate the long-term effects of these standardized approaches on patient satisfaction and quality of life beyond the immediate hospital stay. Further research to address this includes investigation of cost reduction by prevention of infection, reduction in length of stays.