![all words in dictionary all words in dictionary](https://0.academia-photos.com/attachment_thumbnails/30588972/mini_magick20190426-1106-13afry4.png)
![all words in dictionary all words in dictionary](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/wwfeatures/live/624_351/images/live/p0/47/mm/p047mmrj.jpg)
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Referral to appropriate persons and agencies that can help meet their needs is an essential part of the holistic care of the patient with leukemia. The financial burden of the illness and disruption of the life of the individual and the family also impose a special burden on them. Additionally, the patient will need relief from pain and discomfort arising from enlargement of the lymph nodes and distention of the liver and spleen.īecause of the malignant nature of leukemia and the fear and anxiety created by the knowledge that one has a form of cancer, patients and their families and significant others will need help in coping with anxiety, mental depression, and realistic fears about dying and death. Chronic abnormal tissue perfusion, increased need for rest, and decreased sensitivity to heat and cold require careful planning and intervention. Of primary concern are those symptoms attendant to suppression of normal bone marrow function, particularly susceptibility to infection due to the predominance of immature and abnormally functioning white blood cells, bleeding tendency owing to decreased platelet count, and anemia due to decreased erythrocyte count. Leukemia affects almost every system within the body and can present a variety of patient care problems.