nutrition, Watson would treat this patient with evidence-based nutritional guidelines, but first and foremost, would attend to her emotional stability, including her support system, in a holistic, spiritual, and caring manner.
You address several of the caritas in Watson's theory, but perhaps the most important in my opinion is Caritas number 4 and 5 through the development of a trusting relationship and allowing open communication of positive and negative feelings.
(Masters, 2015). Maintaining nutritional balance is extremely important. Malnutrition is prevalent in oncology patients with an incidence ranging from 40-80% and may be caused by multiple factors (Lee, Leong & Lim, 2015). These include, but are not limited to the following: response to cancer treatment; emotional and psychological changes; food aversion due to altered tastes from the medications; pain; depression; reduced intake; and poor absorption. (Lee et al., 2015). The two caritas you addressed, in my opinion, are at the heart of healing. They are broad spectrum, if you will, and address many, if not all nursing diagnosis in the care of a patient with cancer, including ineffective coping, your other diagnosis.
Many variables, throughout the course of Ms. W treatment, may affect her nutritional health. Application of Watson's theory aims to holistically address Ms. W's treatment and nutritional concerns through the use of the other 10 caritas.
References:
Lee, J.L., Leong, L.P., & Lim, S.L. (2015). Nutrition intervention approaches to reduce
malnutrition in oncology patients: a systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(1),
469-480. doi:10.1007/s00520-015-2958-4.
Masters, K. (2015). Nursing Theories: A Framework for Professional Practice (2nd ed.).
Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning