A patient diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma of the right kidney is scheduled for
Explanation
• Anxious cancer patients experiencing surgery need emotional support and reassurance. For patients with renal cancer scheduled to undergo a nephrectomy, it is important to inform them that the remaining healthy kidney is still able to adequately meet the body’s metabolic needs.
• A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure for the removal of a kidney or section of a kidney and is indicated for patients with renal cell carcinoma or cancer of the kidney.
• There is no need for fluid restriction with a functioning kidney.
• Telling the patient either that they have absolutely no chance of needing dialysis or that there is a strong chance of needing dialysis is inappropriate and inaccurate.