Holistic Nursing Approach: A Case Study on Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into Nursing Care for a Patient with Upper Limb Lymphedema and Coexisting Pressure Injury Post-breast Cancer Surgery

This case study describes the nursing care of a patient following breast cancer surgery, who experienced a complication of a pressure injury in the elbow joint. The patient underwent comprehensive decongestive therapy (CDT), which included skin care to prevent and mitigate pressure injuries, manual lymphatic drainage to facilitate lymphatic flow, intermittent bandaging with pressure to sustain the edema-reducing impact, and integration of traditional Chinese medicine into the nursing care to enhance clinical efficacy. Additionally, the treatment emphasized strengthening nutritional support. Patient education on self-lymphatic drainage and strategies to improve patient compliance were also key components. After 4 weeks of meticulous treatment and care, the pressure injury completely healed, and the circumference difference between the bilateral arms was reduced to less than 1 cm, accompanied by the elimination of the sensation of heaviness.