Integrating Swanson’s Caring Theory into End-of-Life Nursing for Terminal Tongue Cancer: A Case Report

Patients with terminal tongue cancer often experience severe physical pain, oral mucosal breakdown, and psychological distress that significantly diminishes quality of life. This case report describes the care of a 47-year-old man with recurrent terminal tongue cancer, demonstrating how Swanson's Caring Theory guided holistic and empathetic end-of-life nursing practice. Over a 16-day hospice admission in September 2020, assessment was based on Gordon's functional health patterns and interventions aligned with Swanson's 5 caring processes. Key issues included excruciating tumor pain (rated 10/10), a malodorous, bleeding oral wound, and anticipatory grief. Integrative strategies, including morphine titration, lidocaine mouthwash, aromatherapy, and life-review therapy, reduced the pain to 2/10, improved the wound odor, and helped the patient find emotional acceptance. Guided by Swanson's framework, the nursing team established trust, involved the caregiver, and supported the patient's spiritual needs. In conclusion, applying Swanson's Caring Theory enabled individualized, compassionate, multidimensional care, demonstrating the value of theory-based integrative approaches in improving the quality of dying for patients with terminal oral cancer.