NURS08079 Oncology and Haematology Assignment Brief Stage 3, Semester V BSc (Hons) in General Nursing 2025/2026

NURS08079 Assignment Brief

NURS08079 Module Description

​The aim of this module is to provide the student with the knowledge and understanding of the principles of delivering safe person centered nursing care through the adoption of a systematic and problem solving approach to clients with a oncology/haematology disease or disorder.

Learning Outcomes on completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1. Critically discuss the aetiology and pathological processes, diagnostic and screening of specific oncological/haematological diseases and disorders in patients.
2. Critically discuss the safe and effective nursing care of a person with an oncological/haematological complaint with emphasis on the minimisation of the burden of the disease/disorder on the client and family in both the tertiary and community settings.
3. Critically discuss the nursing role in supporting the client and family with a life limiting condition using the psychosocial principles to ill health and self management with emphasis on the personal experience.
4. Critically discuss how the client and family can be supported in the care of co-morbidities and adjustment to loss and focus on palliative and terminal aspects of care.
5. Critically evaluate the ability to be a responsible and flexible practitioner in meeting the identified needs of the person and primary carer(s) and to integrate these needs into care, discharge planning and support in dying and death.

Indicative Syllabus

Aetiology, Pathophysiology and Treatmentof Haematological Disorders

Aetiology, pathophysiology and treatment of haematological disorders; anaemias, polycythaemia; thrombocytopenia haemophilia; neutropenia; agranulocytosis.

Holistic Nursing of Haematological Disorders

Holistic nursing care/medical management and education of patients with haematological disorders; anaemias, polycythaemia; thrombocytopenia; sickle cell disease, disseminated intravascular coagulapathy, haemophilia; neutropenia; agranulocytosis; spleenectomy. Discharge planning and the delivery of care in the Community.

Aetiology, Pathophysiology and Treatment of Cancer

Cell cycle and cancer. Accumulation of mutations and the interaction of genes with environmental factors. Formation of a tumour and differences staging and typing.Tumour angiogenesis and metastasis and sites of secondary tumours.

Chemotherapy regimens for various forms of cancer. Side effects of treatment regimes. Drug calculations for oncology. Immunosupression, neutropenia. Biotherapy for cancer; cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy for cancers.Radioactivity: radioisotope; half-life, properties of and radiations. ALARA principle for radiation. Radiotherapy regimens for various forms of cancer; Radiosensitivity of cells, Brachytherapy, LINAC radiotherapy, radio-isotopes in therapy. Side effects of treatment regimes.

Holistic Nursing in Oncology

Holistic nursing care and management of patient with cancer.

Screening for cancer, risk factors, prevention and early detection of cancer. Gene therapy.

Overview of the nursing care of the most prevalent cancers in Ireland; skin, breast, colorectal, lymphoma, leukaemias, prostate, lung, Oesphageal and GI cancers.

Nursing care of the patient undergoing cancer treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and biotherapy.Nursing the patient undergoing palliative and end of life care issues, analgesia and anaesthesia.

Discharge planning and the delivery of care in the Community. Supporting the person, the family and primary carers in meeting all of the health, social and psychological needs of the client. National and International Cancer Strategies.

Recommended Reading Book List

Rothrock, C., (2010). Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery, 14e. Mosby.
ISBN 0323069169 ISBN-13 9780323069168

Polovich, M., (2014). Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. Oncology Nursing Society.
ISBN 1935864335 ISBN-13 9781935864332

Otto, E., (2003). Oncology Nursing Clinical Reference, 1e. Mosby.
ISBN 032302517X ISBN-13 9780323025171

Yarbro, C., (2007). Oncology Nursing Review (Jones and Bartlett Series in Oncology). Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
ISBN 0763750301 ISBN-13 9780763753740

Gates, A., (2007). Oncology Nursing Secrets, 3e. Mosby.
ISBN 0323044573 ISBN-13 9780323044578

(2014). Palliative Care Nursing, Fourth Edition: Quality Care to the End of Life. Springer Publishing Company.
ISBN 0826196357 ISBN-13 9780826196354

Msc, S., (2007). Palliative Nursing: Improving End of Life Care, 2e. Bailliere Tindall.
ISBN 0702028169 ISBN-13 9780702028168

Kuebler, K., (2005). Palliative Practices: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Mosby.
ISBN 0323028217 ISBN-13 9780323028219

Seaman, L., (2010). Symptom Management Algorithms. Intellicard Inc..
Walsh, M., (2007). Watson’s Clinical Nursing and Related Sciences. Bailliere Tindall.

Non ISBN Literary Resources

Wilkes,G., Bourke, M. (2016) Oncology Nursing Drug Handbook London: Booktopia
Hickey, M., Matts, J., (2016) Mosbys Oncology Nursing Advisor in Clinical Practice 978-0323045971

NURS08079 Assessment:

The learning outcomes of this module will be assessed by an assignment. This assignment should comprise of no more than 3,000 words excluding references.

The student is required to:

Critically discuss the nursing care and management of a patient with an oncological or haematological disorder.

Guidelines:

Students are required to:

• Choose one cancer or haematological disorder (See allocated group and list of disorders).
• Critically discuss the aetiology and pathophysiology of the condition.
• Consider the diagnostic and treatment modalities.
• Critically appraise the role of the nurse in delivering holistic care, considering physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.
• Critically discuss any long-term health, social, and holistic implications on the family as well as the individual.
• Critically reflect on how holistic nursing care can promote dignity and quality of life in the final stages of the illness (Consider issues such as symptom management, communication and decision-making at end of life, ethical and legal considerations, the role of the nurse in supporting patients and families emotionally, socially, and spiritually).
• Any discussion relevant to the topic should be analysed and benchmarked with international and nationally sourced scholarly literature (eg journal articles, clinical guidelines, policy documents)

Details Of Assignment Submission:

The deadline for electronic submission to Moodle is the 19th of October 2025 at 18.00

Students should make themselves aware of the penalties for late submission of coursework, plagiarism of coursework and the use of AI as per the student handbook and the university guidelines.

Body of Assignment

• Your assignment should be typed in 12-point Ariel/Calibri for the body text. Headings (size 14) and subheadings (size 12) should be in bold.
• Line spacing should be at least 1.5 line spacing and no more than 2 line spacing. Single spacing should be used for the reference list.
• Use a line space to indicate a new paragraph.
• Ensure your work demonstrates critical analysis rather than descriptive writing (level 8).
• You may structure your essay with clear headings for each section.
• The Harvard Reference System must be used for citations and references.
• If you have any issues relating to this assignment, please do not hesitate in contacting a member of the module team.

Topics for Oncology & Haematological Assignment:

Topics in black = Oncology related Topics in red = Haematology related

*This list is not exhaustive