451 Cancer and pain prepu questions

A client is scheduled for a nerve-sparing prostatectomy. The emotional spouse confides in the nurse that the client will not talk about the cancer and/or upcoming surgery. Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse choose as primary diagnosis for this client? A. Fear B. Knowledge Deficit C. Sexual Dysfunction D. Grieving

A. Fear Fear of the unknown is probably the major concern for this client. This includes fear of the diagnosis of cancer, fear of the effects of the surgery, and fear of loss of control and functioning. Sexual Dysfunction may be one of the fears but not primary at this stage. Knowledge Deficit is unclear at this time. Grieving would not be a likely response at this time.

A computed tomography (CT) scan has detected a "spot" on a patient's liver, and a subsequent liver biopsy has revealed cancer and been submitted for staging and grading. The patient has asked you about the purpose of staging, stating that her oncologist's explanation left her somewhat confused. How could you best respond to this patient's question?

"Staging allows the care team to determine how large and extensive your tumor is." Staging determines the size of the tumor and the extent of disease. It is not primarily used to identify the site of origin or prognosis, although staging is a piece of data that contributes to these determinations. Grading, not staging, involves histological identification.

A nurse is teaching a client with bone marrow suppression about the time frame when bone suppression will be noticeable after administration of floxuridine. What is the time frame the nurse should include with client teaching?

7 to 14 days Bone marrow suppression becomes noticeable 7 to 14 days after floxuridine administration. Bone marrow recovery occurs in 21 to 28 days.

Which primary cancer treatment goal is prolonged survival and containment of cancer cell growth?

Control The range of possible treatment goals may include complete eradication of malignant disease (cure), prolonged survival and containment of cancer cell growth (control), or relief of symptoms associated with the disease (palliation). Prevention is not a treatment goal when the patient has already been diagnosed with cancer. Prevention of metastasis to a secondary site may be a goal.

A patient with a diagnosis of prostate cancer is receiving radiation therapy, a treatment that has resulted in stomatitis. To best manage this patient's stomatitis, the nurse should:

Encourage the patient to use an oral swab rather than a regular toothbrush. Soft-bristled toothbrushes and nonabrasive toothpaste prevent or reduce trauma to the oral mucosa. Oral swabs with sponge-like applicators may be used in place of a toothbrush for painful oral tissues. Over-the-counter mouthwashes may contain alcohol and exacerbate stomatitis. Similarly, a hypertonic solution has the potential to further harm the oral mucosa. A low-residue diet does not affect stomatitis, although smaller meals may be of some benefit.

A patient has a long history of severe and persistent pain and has trialed a number of different analgesia regimens, all with limited success. The patient is increasingly distraught and depressed as a result of continued pain. Which of the following interventions would be most likely to benefit this patient?

Neurosurgery to interrupt the patient's pain pathways For patients who have severe and longstanding pain that has not responded to standard therapies, neurosurgery may be necessary. Nonpharmacologic measures may be useful adjuncts to pain management but are unlikely to resolve this degree of pain. A PCA pump will be ineffective if IV opioids have been ineffective in the past.

The nurse is assessing an older adult patient just admitted to the hospital. Why is it important that the nurse carefully assess pain in the older adult patient?

Older people experience reduced sensory perception.

Which of the following is a physiologic response to pain?

Physiologic responses to pain include pallor, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and hypertension.

A client is recovering from a craniotomy with tumor debulking. Which comment by the client indicates to the nurse a correct understanding of what the surgery entailed?

"I guess the doctor could not remove the entire tumor." Debulking is a reference made when a tumor cannot be completely removed, often due to its extension far into healthy tissue. Without complete removal, this is not a cure and, the cancer cells will continue to replicate and require adjuvant therapies to prevent further invasion. The physician, not the nurse, will need to clarify the details of the surgery.

The nurse is caring for a client is scheduled for chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

"I hope they find a bone marrow donor who matches." An autologous stem cell transplant comes from the client not from a donor. The doctor will remove the stem cells from the bone marrow before beginning chemotherapy and treat the client until most if not all the cancer is eliminated before reinfusing the stem cells. Clients are at risk for infection and will be closely monitored for at least 3 months, but not in protective isolation.

A serum sodium concentration lower than 115 mEq/L (115 mmol/L) is associated with

A serum sodium concentration lower than 115 mEq/L (115 mmol/L) is associated with seizures, abnormal reflexes, papilledema, coma, and death. Anorexia, weight gain, and myalgia are associated with serum sodium concentrations lower than 120 mEq/L.

A patient who has bone cancer has a new order for a Fentanyl patch. She has previously been receiving morphine for pain. When administering a Fentanyl patch, the last dose of sustained-release morphine should be administered:

At the same time the first patch is applied Because it takes 12 to 24 hours for the Fentanyl levels to gradually increase from the first patch, the last dose of sustained-release morphine should be administered at the same time the first patch is applied. The other time frames are incorrect.

The nurse is providing client teaching for a client undergoing chemotherapy. What dietary modifications should the nurse advise?

Avoid spicy and fatty foods. The nurse advises a client undergoing chemotherapy to avoid hot and very cold liquids and spicy and fatty foods. The nurse also encourages the client to have small meals and appropriate fluid intake.

Mrs. Ota is a 72-year-old woman whose recent fall resulted in a femoral head fracture. In the days since her subsequent hip surgery, she has been experiencing intermittent pain and requested breakthrough analgesia several times over the past 24 hours. However, her son and daughter-in-law came to visit for the first time 2 hours ago, and Mrs. Ota has denied pain during this time period. The nurse recognizes that Mrs. Ota may be experiencing less pain at this time because:

Being distracted has activated her descending control system. Patients who have visitors or who are engaged in a television program may not report pain, because activation of the descending control system, which is inhibitory, results in less noxious or painful information being transmitted to consciousness. In general, heightened spinal cord neuron response results in increased pain. Serotonin does not inhibit nociceptor response, and C-fibers increase perception of pain.

A client with cancer is being evaluated for possible metastasis. What is one of the most common metastasis sites for cancer cells?

Liver The liver is one of the five most common cancer metastasis sites. The others are the lymph nodes, lung, bone, and brain. The colon, reproductive tract, and WBCs are occasional metastasis sites.

The client has finished the first round of chemotherapy. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for further teaching by the nurse?

"I can continue taking my vitamins and herbs because they make me feel better." Herbal products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA);although some can decrease the risk of cancer, others can have serious side effects and liver toxicity. Use of vitamins and herbals should be reviewed with the oncologist. Use of clear liquids is recommended for the client experiencing nausea and vomiting. Because hair follicles are sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, it is likely for alopecia to occur especially with consecutive treatments. Chemotherapy includes cytotoxic drugs that are harmful to rapid dividing cells such as cell development in the fetus. To prevent damage to the fetus, birth control is recommended during treatment.

An oncology clinic nurse is reinforcing prevention measures for oropharyngeal infections to a client receiving chemotherapy. Which statement by the client indicates that teaching was successful?

"I clean my teeth gently several times per day." The client demonstrates understanding when he states that he'll clean his teeth gently several times per day. Frequent gentle cleaning of the mouth or rinsing reduces bacteria build-up in the oral cavity, thus reducing the risk for oropharyngeal infection. Changing the toothbrush each month reduces the bacteria in the mouth for the first few uses only. Petroleum jelly moistens the lips, but doesn't prevent breakdown of the mucous membranes or reduce the risk for oropharyngeal infection. Alcohol-based products cause drying of the mucous membrane, increasing the likelihood of oropharyngeal infection.

Which does a nurse thoroughly evaluate before a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) procedure?

Blood studies Before the HSCT procedure, the nurse thoroughly evaluates the client's physical condition; organ function; nutritional status; complete blood studies, including assessment for past exposure to antigens such as HIV, hepatitis, or cytomegalovirus; and psychosocial status. Before an HSCT procedure, the nurse need not evaluate client's family, drug, or allergy history.

The nurse is assisting the anesthesiologist with the insertion of an epidural catheter and the administration of an epidural opioid for pain control. What adverse effect of epidural opioids should the nurse monitor for?

Bradypnea Most patients experience sedation at the beginning of opioid therapy and whenever the opioid dose is increased significantly. If left untreated, excessive sedation can progress to clinically significant respiratory depression (bradypnea, or reduced breathing rate).

A patient will be having an endoscopic procedure with a diagnostic biopsy. What type of biopsy does the nurse explain will remove an entire piece of suspicious tissue?

Excisional biopsy Excisional biopsy is most frequently used for small, easily accessible tumors of the skin, breast, and upper or lower gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tracts. In many cases, the surgeon can remove the entire tumor as well as the surrounding marginal tissues. The removal of normal tissue beyond the tumor area decreases the possibility that residual microscopic malignant cells may lead to a recurrence of the tumor. Incisional biopsy is performed if the tumor mass is too large to be removed. In this case, a wedge of tissue from the tumor is removed for analysis. Needle biopsy is performed to sample suspicious masses that are easily and safely accessible, such as some masses in the breasts, thyroid, lung, liver, and kidney. A core needle biopsy uses a specially designed needle to obtain a small core of tissue that permits histologic analysis.

A client is receiving chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. Which assessment finding indicates a chemotherapy-induced complication?

Serum potassium level of 2.6 mEq/L Chemotherapy commonly causes nausea and vomiting, which may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Signs of fluid loss include a serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L, decreased urine output (less than 40 ml/hour), and abnormally low blood pressure. Urine output of 400 ml in 8 hours, serum sodium level of 142 mEq/L, and a blood pressure of 120/64 to 130/72 mm Hg aren't abnormal findings.

A client diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer who is receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy develops tumor lysis syndrome. When reviewing the client's laboratory tests, which results would the nurse most likely find? Select all that apply. hyperkalemia hyperphosphatemia hypouricemia hypocalcemia hypernatremia

hyperkalemia hyperphosphatemia hypcalcemia With tumor lysis syndrome, electrolyte imbalances—hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperuricemia—occur because the kidneys can no longer excrete large volumes of the released intracellular metabolites. Sodium imbalances are not associated with this syndrome.

The nurse performs a breast exam on a client and finds a firm, non-moveable lump in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast that the client reports was not there 3 weeks ago. What does this finding suggest?

Malignant tumor A fast-growing lump is suggestive of a malignant tumor. Metastasis can only be determined by cytology, not by palpation.

A patient will be receiving radiation for 6 weeks for the treatment of breast cancer and asks the nurse why it takes so long. What is the best response by the nurse?

"It will allow time for the repair of healthy tissue." In external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT), the total radiation dose is delivered over several weeks in daily doses called fractions. This allows healthy tissue to repair and achieves greater cell kill by exposing more cells to the radiation as they begin active cell division. Repeated radiation treatments over time (fractionated doses) also allow for the periphery of the tumor to be reoxygenated repeatedly, because tumors shrink from the outside inward. This increases the radiosensitivity of the tumor, thereby increasing tumor cell death.

The oncology nurse is giving chemotherapy to a client in a short stay area. The client confides that they are very depressed. The nurse recognizes depression as which of the following?

A normal reaction to the diagnosis of cancer. Clients have many reactions, ranging from anxiety, fear, and depression to feelings of guilt related to viewing cancer as a punishment for past actions or failure to practice a healthy lifestyle. They also may express anger related to the diagnosis and their inability to be in control. While depression is understandable, it also needs to be acknowledged and treated if necessary. Depression is not a side effect of the neoplastic drugs nor is it an aberrant psychologic reaction to the chemotherapy.

Prior to starting a peripheral intravenous line on a patient, what intervention can the nurse provide to decrease the pain from the needle puncture?

Apply eutectic mixture of local anesthetic cream 30 minutes prior to the procedure The topical route of administration is used for both acute and chronic pain. For example, the nonopioid diclofenac is available in patch and gel formulations for application directly over painful areas. Local anesthetic creams, such as EMLA (eutectic mixture or emulsion of local anesthetics) and L.M.X.4 (lidocaine cream 4%), can be applied directly over the injection site prior to painful needle stick procedures, and the lidocaine patch 5% is often used for well-localized types of neuropathic pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia.

A client has been receiving chemotherapy. Upon assessing the client during morning rounds, the nurse notes the client is now bleeding from intravenous and venipuncture sites. Stool is positive for occult blood. The client is requesting to sit in a chair for a meal. The nurse implements the following interventions: (Select all that apply.) Monitor vital signs once a shift. Assess level of consciousness. Assist the client to a chair. Apply pressure to the bleeding sites. Check intake and output records.

Assess level of consciousness. Apply pressure to the bleeding sites. Check intake and output records.

The client is scheduled for surgery. The nurse is reviewing with the client about postoperative pain management. The client states her goal after receiving treatment is "0." The first action of the nurse is to

Educate the client that this goal may not be achievable. The client's goal of complete elimination of pain may be unrealistic. The nurse needs to first teach the client about setting an achievable goal. The nurse will plan to use a combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for pain relief. The nurse may need to notify the surgeon of the client's goal of "0" for pain relief. The nurse does not ensure large doses of opioids are prescribed for the client. Many factors go into the prescription of medication for pain relief, including the client's response to the medication.

A 20-year-old man has presented to the emergency department with a 24-hour history of abdominal pain. The nurse who is admitting the patient notes that he is diaphoretic, wincing, and guarding the lower right quadrant of his abdomen. The nurse asks the patient to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10, to which the patient responds, "One or two." How should the nurse best respond to this patient's statement?

Explain the 0-to-10 pain scale in greater detail. While it is important to accept a patient's self-report of pain, this does not mean that further education about pain scales is not sometimes necessary. This is especially the case when there is a clear inconsistency between patient's subjective pain report and the nurse's assessment findings. Thus, further teaching should take place prior to choosing an intervention or documenting the patient's pain as "slight."

When caring for an older client who is receiving external beam radiation, which is the key point for the nurse to incorporate into the plan of care?

Inspect the skin frequently. Inspecting the skin frequently will allow early identification and intervention of skin problems associated with external radiation therapy. The external markings should not be removed, but clients may shower and lightly wash over the skin. Time, distance, and shielding are key in the management of sealed, internal radiation therapy and not external beam radiation. The use of disposable utensils and care items would be important when caring for clients following systemic, unsealed, internal radiation therapy.

A nurse is administering daunorubicin (DaunoXome) to a patient with lung cancer. Which situation requires immediate intervention?

The I.V. site is red and swollen. A red, swollen I.V. site indicates possible infiltration. Daunorubicin is a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent and can be very damaging to tissue if it infiltrates. The nurse should immediately stop the medication, apply ice to the site, and notify the physician. Although nausea, WBC count of 1,000/mm3, and shivering require interventions, these findings aren't a high priority at this time.

A patient is admitted for an excisional biopsy of a breast lesion. What intervention should the nurse provide for the care of this patient?

Provide time for the patient to discuss her concerns. Patients who are undergoing surgery for the diagnosis or treatment of cancer may be anxious about the surgical procedure, possible findings, postoperative limitations, changes in normal body functions, and prognosis. The patient and family require time and assistance to process the possible changes and outcomes resulting from the surgery. The nurse serves as the patient advocate and liaison and encourages the patient and family to take an active role in decision making when possible. If the patient or family asks about the results of diagnostic testing and surgical procedures, the nurse's response is guided by the information that was conveyed previously. The nurse may be asked to explain and clarify information for patients and families that was provided initially but was not grasped because of anxiety and overwhelming feelings. It is important that the nurse, as well as other members of the health care team, provide information that is consistent from one clinician to another.

Your patient has just returned from the PACU following orthopedic surgery. The patient is complaining of pain, and you are preparing to administer the patient's first dose of meperidine. Prior to administering the drug, what assessment would you prioritize?

The patient's allergies to any medications Before administering medications such as narcotics for the first time, the nurse should assess for any previous allergic reactions. Electrolyte values, blood pressure, and hydration status are not what you need to assess prior to giving a first dose of opioids.

You are the nurse caring for a client with cancer. The client complains of pain and nausea. When assessed, you note that the client appears fearful. What other factor must you consider when a client with cancer indicates signs of pain, nausea, and fear?

Fatigue Clients with cancer experience fatigue, which is a side effect of cancer treatments that rest fails to relieve. The nurse must assess the client for other stressors that contribute to fatigue such as pain, nausea, fear, and lack of adequate support. The nurse works with other healthcare team members to treat the client's fatigue. The above indications do not contribute to infections, ulcerations, or high cholesterol levels.

A client, who had an above the knee amputation of the left leg related to peripheral vascular disease from uncontrolled diabetes, complains of pain in the left lower extremity. What type of pain is the client experiencing?

Neuropathic pain An example of neuropathic pain is phantom limb pain or phantom limb sensation, in which individuals with an amputated arm or leg perceive that the limb still exists and that sensation such as burning, itching, and deep pain are located in tissues that have been surgically removed. Chronic pain sufferers may have periods of acute pain, which is referred to as breakthrough pain. Visceral pain arises from internal organs such as the heart, kidneys, and intestine that are diseased or injured. Referred pain is a term used to describe discomfort that is perceived in a general area of the body but not in the exact site where an organ is anatomically located.

After being seen in the oncology clinic, a client with severe bone marrow suppression is admitted to the hospital. The client's cancer therapy consisted of radiation and chemotherapy. When developing the care plan for this client, which nursing diagnosis takes priority?

Risk for infection takes highest priority in clients with severe bone marrow depression because they have a decrease in the number of white blood cells, the cells that fight infection. Making clients aware that they are at risk for injuries can help prevent such injuries as falls. The nurse should institute the facility's falls prevention protocol and supply assistive devices, such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair, when needed. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements is also of concern but doesn't take priority over preventing infection. Anxiety is likely present in clients with severe bone marrow depression; however, anxiety doesn't take priority over preventing infection.

Which of the following is a disadvantage to using the IV route of administration for analgesics?

Short-duration Disadvantages of using the IV route for analgesic administration include short duration, the occurrence of possible respiratory depression, and that careful dosage calculations are needed. Intramuscular analgesics have a slower entry into the bloodstream.

A client with a brain tumor is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for treatment of cancer. The client has recently reported swelling in the gums, tongue, and lips. Which is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

Stomatitis The symptoms of swelling in gums, tongue, and lips indicate stomatitis. This usually occurs 5 to 10 days after the administration of certain chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy to the head and neck. Chemotherapy and radiation produce chemical toxins that lead to the breakdown of cells in the mucosa of the epithelium, connective tissue, and blood vessels in the oral cavity.

The nurse caring for a 74-year-old man who has just returned to the surgical unit following surgery for a total knee replacement received report from the PACU. Part of the report had been passed on from the preoperative assessment, in which the patient stated that he has "gotten confused" in the past when he takes pain medications. The nurse should recognize which of the following principles of pain management among older adults?

The elderly may require lower doses of medication and are easily confused with new medications. The elderly often require lower doses of medication and are easily confused with new medications. The elderly have slowed metabolism and excretion, and therefore the elderly should receive a lower dose of pain medication given over a longer period time, which may help to limit the potential for confusion. Unfortunately, the elderly are often given the same dose as younger adults, and the resulting confusion is attributed to other factors, like environment. The elderly may have altered absorption and metabolism, but the use of lower-dose opiates is encouraged for pain. Confusion following surgery is never normal. With the elderly, give medication at a low dose and slowly increase the dose until the pain is managed.

A client is prescribed methadone 10 mg three times a day for neuralgia following chemotherapy treatment. The client reports that he is experiencing constipation and asks the nurse for information about preventing constipation. The nurse recommends

increasing the amount of bran and fresh fruits and vegetables Constipation is a common problem with the use of opioid medications, such as methadone. Activities to prevent constipation include increasing bran and fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet. The client should ingest 8 to 10 glasses of fluids per day. Milk of magnesia may be used if no bowel movement is produced in 3 days. Milk of magnesia is not to be used daily. A glycerin suppository, not bisacodyl, may be used to make the bowel movement less painful.