Key Concepts
Overview
Prostate cancer ties high-yield nursing judgment to airway, perfusion, infection control, and safe medication administration. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is common and often indolent, but advanced disease threatens bone, spinal cord, renal function, and nutrition. Nurses coordinate PSA trends (with controversy awareness), digital rectal exam themes, multiparametric MRI and biopsy recovery, and Gleason/Grade Group literacy enough to teach in plain language. Localized disease pathways include active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, and radiation (IMRT, brachytherapy). Advanced disease may use androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with bone-protective agents, novel hormonal agents, and chemotherapy—each with distinct toxicity profiles (hot flashes, metabolic syndrome, fractures, fatigue, cardiac risk). Oncologic emergencies include spinal cord compression from vertebral metastases (new back pain + neuro deficit), DIC patterns in disseminated disease, and obstructive uropathy. Nurses prioritize neuro checks, bladder scanning, strict I&O, and timely escalation. Cross-link US RN lessons hub · Canada RN lessons hub and related LESSON cards where the stem crosses systems. Pathophysiology in plain language. Think in layers: cells → organs → whole-person compensation. When a stem describes acute change (fever, pain, new neuro deficit, hypoxia, hypotension),...