Psychological Aspects of a Cancer Diagnosis Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering psychological theories, communication strategies, and cultural competence relevant to cancer diagnosis and hospice care.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A 5-stage model that reflects the manner in which individuals meet their needs from most basic needs to self-actualization.

Physiological Needs

The first level of Maslow's Five Levels of hierarchy.

Safe & Security Needs

The second level of Maslow's Five Levels of hierarchy.

Love & Belongingness Needs

The third level of Maslow's Five Levels of hierarchy.

Self-Esteem Needs

The fourth level of Maslow's Five Levels of hierarchy.

Self-Actualization

The fifth level of Maslow's Five Levels of hierarchy; in hospice care, the main goal is for the patient to "be himself or herself" at the end of life.

Close-Ended questions

One of the biggest barriers in communication; these are questions that can be answered by a simple "yes" or "no".

Open-Ended questions

Questions that require the patients to think about what is being asked and respond with more than a simple one-word answer, actively engaging them in their care.

Cultural Competence

Acquiring and integrating knowledge with awareness, attitude, and skills about culture and cultural differences to provide optimal and expert care.

Standard care

Medical products and practices that are performed by medical doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Complementary medicine

Medical products and practices that are used together with standard medical care.

Alternative medicine

Medical products and practices that are used in place of standard medical care.

High doses of anti-oxidant vitamins

Supplements not recommended during radiation therapy because they repair damage intentionally created by the treatment to kill tumor cells.

Carcinogenesis

A side effect of cancer treatment (radiation therapy and chemotherapy) involving the induction of cancer.

Denial

The stage of grieving where the patient has difficulty believing they have a cancer diagnosis.

Anger

The stage of grieving where the patient lashes out at other people or things.

Bargaining

The stage of grieving where the patient negotiates for more time or for a cure.

Depression

The stage of grieving where the patient is saddened over the inability to change the situation.

Acceptance

The stage of grieving where the patient recognizes what is happening and plans for the future.

Shock

The first of the $7$ Stages of Grief, characterized by initial paralysis at hearing the bad news.

Testing

The sixth of the $7$ Stages of Grief, characterized by seeking realistic solutions.

Hospice

A community of caring for patients diagnosed with an incurable chronic illness with a life expectancy of $6$ months or less.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

The individual who identified the $5$ stages of grieving and brought the concept of Hospice care to the United States.

Palliative Basic Needs

In the adapted Maslow's hierarchy, these are the first level needs: relief of physical pain, symptom control, and restoring life functions like breathing, eating, and toileting.

Transcendence

A state where there is a connection of the patient to others, the universe, or divinity leading to an intensification of life and a sense of wonder and awe.