Abstract:

Background: Comfort is one of the fundamental needs of head and neck cancer patients. Aim: To plan the homecare of a patient with laryngeal cancer, receiving external radiotherapy, according to Kolcaba's Comfort Theory. Method: In this case-report, a 64-year-old male patient newly diagnosed with stage 1-2 laryngeal cancer and receiving external radiotherapy was assessed. The data were collected via face-to-face interviews and observation methods through home visits. The first home visit was performed on the 23rd day of radiotherapy. Four more home visits were applied subsequently following the initial visit. The comfort requirement was examined within the framework of the four dimensions of the model. Nursing diagnoses in the planned homecare were determined via using the NANDA-I classification system. Verbal and written consents were obtained from the patient. Results: Acute pain, impaired swallowing, imbalanced nutrition, impaired skin integrity, disturbed sleep pattern, fatigue, and risk for impaired oral mucous membrane integrity to increase the physical comfort; hopelessness, impaired religiosity, and readiness for enhanced family processes for psycho-spiritual comfort; impaired verbal communication for sociocultural comfort, and readiness for enhanced comfort and risk for infection for the environmental comfort of the patient were addressed in the homecare. Conclusion: Comfort Theory-based nursing care given in the home setting was found as effective to be enhanced the comfort level of the patient. Interventions based on Comfort Theory within the framework of home care nursing roles and functions will positively affect the well-being and functionality of patients with early-stage head and neck cancer.

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