Chapter 29- The child with Cancer

What strategies should the nurse implement to increase nutritional intake for the child receiving chemotherapy? (Select all that apply.) a. Allow the child any food tolerated. b. Fortify foods with nutritious supplements. c. Allow the child to be involved in food selection. d. Encourage the parents to place pressure on the importance of eating. e. Encourage the child to eat favorite foods during infusion of chemotherapy medications.

a, b, c

A child on chemotherapy has developed rectal ulcers. What interventions should the nurse teach to the child and parents to relieve the discomfort of rectal ulcers? (Select all that apply.) a. Warm sitz baths b. Use of stool softeners c. Record bowel movements d. Use of an opioid for discomfort e. Occlusive ointment applied to the area

a, b, c, e

The nurse should teach the family that which residual disabilities can occur for a child being treated for a brain tumor? (Select all that apply.) a. Ataxia b. Anorexia c. Dysphagia d. Sensory deficits e. Crania nerve palsies

a, c, d, e

The nurse is precepting a new graduate nurse at an ambulatory pediatric hematology and oncology clinic. What cardinal signs of cancer in children should the nurse make the new nurse aware of? (Select all that apply.) a. Sudden tendency to bruise easily b. Transitory, generalized pain c. Frequent headaches d. Excessive, rapid weight gain e. Gradual, steady fever f. Unexplained loss of energy

a, c, f

A child with cancer being treated with chemotherapy is receiving a platelet transfusion. The nurse understands that the transfused platelets should survive the body for how many days? a. 1 to 3days b. 4 to 6days c. 7 to 9days d. 10 to 12 days

a. 1 to 3days

An adolescent is scheduled for a leg amputation in 2 days for treatment of osteosarcoma. What approach should the nurse implement? a. Answer questions with straightforward honesty. b. Avoid discussing the seriousness of the condition. c. Explain that although the amputation is difficult, it will cure the cancer. d. Help the adolescent accept the amputation as better than a long course of chemotherapy.

a. Answer questions with straightforward honesty.

A child has been diagnosed with a Wilms tumor. What should preoperative nursing care include? a. Careful bathing and handling b. Monitoring of behavioral status c. Maintenance of strict isolation d. Administration of packed red blood cells

a. Careful bathing and handling

As part of the diagnostic evaluation of a child with cancer, biopsies are important for staging. What statement explains what staging means? a. Extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis b. Rate normal cells are being replaced by cancer cells c. Biologic characteristics of the tumor or lymph nodes d. Abnormal, unrestricted growth of cancer cells producing organ damage

a. Extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis

What are the most common clinical manifestations of brain tumors in children? a. Headaches and vomiting b. Blurred vision and ataxia c. Hydrocephalus and clumsy gait d. Fever and poor fine motor control

a. Headaches and vomiting

After chemotherapy is begun for a child with acute leukemia, prophylaxis to prevent acute tumor lysis syndrome includes which therapeutic intervention? a. Hydration b. Oxygenation c. Corticosteroids d. Pain management

a. Hydration

The nurse should expect to care for which age of child if the admitting diagnosis is retinoblastoma? a. Infant or toddler b. Preschool- or school-age child c. School-age or adolescent child d. Adolescent

a. Infant or toddler

In teaching parents how to minimize or prevent bleeding episodes when the child is myelosuppressed, the nurse includes what information? a. Meticulous mouth care is essential to avoid mucositis. b. Rectal temperatures are necessary to monitor for infection. c. Intramuscular injections are preferred to intravenous ones. d. Platelet transfusions are given to maintain a count greater than 50,000/mm3.

a. Meticulous mouth care is essential to avoid mucositis.

What is appropriate mouth care for a toddler with mucosal ulceration related to chemotherapy? a. Mouthwashes with plain saline b. Lemon glycerin swabs for cleansing c. Mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide d. Swish and swallow with viscous lidocaine

a. Mouthwashes with plain saline

One pediatric oncologic emergency is acute tumor lysis syndrome. Symptoms that this may be occurring include what? a. Muscle cramps and tetany b. Respiratory distress and cyanosis c. Thrombocytopenia and sepsis d. Upper extremity edema and neck vein distension

a. Muscle cramps and tetany

A young child with leukemia has anorexia and severe stomatitis. What approach should the nurse suggest that the parents try? a. Relax any eating pressures. b. Firmly insist that the child eat normally. c. Serve foods that are either hot or cold. d. Provide only liquids because chewing is painful.

a. Relax any eating pressures.

A parent of a hospitalized child on chemotherapy asks the nurse if a sibling of the hospitalized child should receive the varicella vaccination. The nurse should give which response? a. The sibling can get a varicella vaccination. b. The sibling should not get a varicella vaccination. c. The sibling should wait until the child is finished with chemotherapy. d. The sibling should get varicella-zoster immune globulin if exposed to chickenpox.

a. The sibling can get a varicella vaccination.

A child is receiving vincristine (Oncovin). The nurse should monitor for which side effect of this medication? a. diarrhea b. Photosensitivity c. Constipation d. Ototoxicity

a. diarrhea

What are favorable prognostic criteria for acute lymphoblastic leukemia? (Select all that apply.) a. Male gender b. CALLA positive c. Early preB cell d. 2 to 10 years of age e. Leukocyte count ?7?50,000/mm3

b, c, d

What guidelines should the nurse follow when handling chemotherapeutic agents? (Select all that apply.) a. Use clean technique. b. Prepare medications in a safety cabinet. c. Wear gloves designed for handling chemotherapy. d. Wear face and eye protection when splashing is possible. e. Discard gloves and protective clothing in a special container.

b, c, d, e

The nurse is caring for a child with retinoblastoma that was treated with an enucleation. What interventions should the nurse plan for care of an eye socket after enucleation? (Select all that apply.) a. Clean the prosthesis. b. Change the eye pad daily. c. Keep the opposite eye covered initially. d. Irrigate the socket daily with a prescribed solution. e. Apply a prescribed antibiotic ointment after irrigation.

b, d, e

The nurse is collecting a 24-hour urine sample on a child with suspected diagnosis of neuroblastoma. What finding in the urine is expected with neuroblastomas? a. Ketones b. Catecholamines c. Red blood cells d. Excessive white blood cells

b. Catecholamines

The nurse is caring for a child receiving chemotherapy for leukemia. The childs granulocyte count is 600/mm3 and platelet count is 45,000/mm3. What oral care should the nurse recommend for this child? a. Rinsing mouth with water b. Daily toothbrushing and flossing c. Lemon glycerin swabs for cleansing d. Wiping teeth with moistened gauze or Toothettes

b. Daily toothbrushing and flossing

A parent tells the nurse that 80% of children with the same type of leukemia as his sons have a 5-year survival. He believes that because another child on the same protocol as his son has just died, his son now has a better chance of success. What is the best response by the nurse? a. It is sad for the other family but good news for your child. b. Each child has an 80% likelihood of 5-year survival. c. The data suggest that 20% of the children in the clinic will die. There are still many hurdles for your son. d. You should avoid the grieving family because you will be benefiting from their loss.

b. Each child has an 80% likelihood of 5-year survival.

A child with osteosarcoma is experiencing phantom limb pain after an amputation. What prescribed medication is effective for short-term phantom pain relief? a. Phenytoin (Dilantin) b. Gabapentin (Neurontin) c. V alproic Acid (Depakote) d. Phenobarbital (Phenobarbital)

b. Gabapentin (Neurontin)

A school-age child with leukemia experienced severe nausea and vomiting when receiving chemotherapy for the first time. What is the most appropriate nursing action to prevent or minimize these reactions with subsequent treatments? a. Administer the chemotherapy between meals. b. Give an antiemetic before chemotherapy begins. c. Have the child bring favorite foods for snacks. d. Keep the child NPO (nothing by mouth) until nausea and vomiting subside.

b. Give an antiemetic before chemotherapy begins

An adolescent will receive a bone marrow transplant (BMT). The nurse should explain that the bone marrow will be administered by which method? a. Bone grafting b. Intravenous infusion c. Bone marrow injection d. Intraabdominal infusion

b. Intravenous infusion

Essential postoperative nursing management of a child after removal of a brain tumor includes which nursing care? a. Turning and positioning every 2 hours b. Measuring all fluid intake and output c. Changing the dressing when it becomes soiled d Using maximum lighting to ensure accurate observations

b. Measuring all fluid intake and output

The mother of an infant tells the nurse that sometimes there is a whitish glow in the pupil of his eye. The nurse should suspect which condition? a. Brain tumor b. Retinoblastoma c. Neuroblastoma d. Rhabdomyosarcoma

b. Retinoblastoma

What childhood cancer may demonstrate patterns of inheritance that suggest a familial basis? a. Leukemia b. Retinoblastoma c. Rhabdomyosarcoma d. Osteogenic sarcoma

b. Retinoblastoma

The nurse is administering an intravenous chemotherapeutic agent to a child with leukemia. The child suddenly begins to wheeze and have severe urticaria. What nursing action is most appropriate to initiate? a. Recheck the rate of drug infusion. b. Stop the drug infusion immediately. c. Observe the child closely for next 10 minutes. d. Explain to the child that this is an expected side effect.

b. Stop the drug infusion immediately.

A 5-year-old child is being prepared for surgery to remove a brain tumor. Preparation for surgery should be based on which information? a. Removal of the tumor will stop the various signs and symptoms. b. Usually the postoperative dressing covers the entire scalp. c. He is not old enough to be concerned about his head being shaved. d. He is not old enough to understand the significance of the brain

b. Usually the postoperative dressing covers the entire scalp.

A child, age 10 years, has a neuroblastoma and is in the hospital for additional chemotherapy treatments. What laboratory values are most likely this childs? a. White blood cell count, 17,000/mm3; hemoglobin, 15 g/dl b. White blood cell count, 3,000/mm3; hemoglobin, 11.5 g/dl c. Platelets, 450,000/mm3; hemoglobin, 12 g/dl d. White blood cell count, 10,000/mm3; platelets, 175,000/mm3

b. White blood cell count, 3,000/mm3; hemoglobin, 11.5 g/dl

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The parent states, My child has a low platelet count, and we are being discharged this afternoon. What do I need to do at home? What statement is most appropriate for the nurse to make? a. You should give your child aspirin instead of acetaminophen for fever or pain. b. Your child should avoid contact sports or activities that could cause bleeding. c. You should feed your child a bland, soft, moist diet for the next week. d. Your child should avoid large groups of people for the next week.

b. Your child should avoid contact sports or activities that could cause bleeding.

Calculate the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) for the following: WBC count of 5000 mm3; neutrophils (segs) of 10%; and nonsegmented neutrophils (bands) of 12%. a. 110/mm3 b. 500/mm3 c. 1100/mm3 d. 5000/mm3

c. 1100/mm3

What type of chemotherapeutic agent alters the function of cells by replacing a hydrogen atom of a molecule. a. Plant alkaloids b. Antimetabolites c. Alkylating agents d. Antitumor antibiotics

c. Alkylating agents

A child with leukemia is receiving intrathecal chemotherapy to prevent which condition? a. Infection b. Brain tumor c. Central nervous system (CNS) disease d. Drug side effects

c. Central nervous system (CNS) disease

What is an important priority in dealing with the child suspected of having Wilms tumor? a. Intervening to minimize bleeding b. Monitoring temperature for infection c. Ensuring the abdomen is protected from palpation d. Teaching parents how to manage the parenteral nutrition

c. Ensuring the abdomen is protected from palpation

The nurse is preparing a child for possible alopecia from chemotherapy. What information should the nurse include? a. Wearing hats or scarves is preferable to a wig. b. Expose head to sunlight to stimulate hair regrowth. c. Hair may have a slightly different color or texture when it regrows. d. Regrowth of hair usually begins 12 months after chemotherapy ends.

c. Hair may have a slightly different color or texture when it regrows.

What chemotherapeutic agent can cause an anaphylactic reaction? a. Prednisone (Deltasone) b. Vincristine (Oncovin) c. L-Asparaginase (Elspar) d. Methotrexate (Trexall)

c. L-Asparaginase (Elspar)

Chemotherapeutic agents are classified according to what feature? a. Side effects b. Effectiveness c. Mechanism of action d. Route of administration

c. Mechanism of action

What statement related to clinical trials developed for pediatric cancers is most accurate? a. Are accessible only in major pediatric centers b. Do not require consent for standard therapy c. Provide the best available therapy compared with an expected improvement d. Are standardized to provide the same treatment to all children with the disease

c. Provide the best available therapy compared with an expected improvement

What description identifies the pathophysiology of leukemia? a. Increased blood viscosity b. Abnormal stimulation of the first stage of coagulation process c. Unrestricted proliferation of immature white blood cells (WBCs) d. Thrombocytopenia from an excessive destruction of platelets

c. Unrestricted proliferation of immature white blood cells (WBCs)

Nursing care of the child with myelosuppression from leukemia or chemotherapeutic agents should include which therapeutic intervention? a. Restrict oral fluids. b. Institute strict isolation. c. Use good hand-washing technique. d. Give immunizations appropriate for age.

c. Use good hand-washing technique

What specific gravity of the urine is desired so that hemorrhagic cystitis is prevented? a. 1.035 b. 1.030 c. 1.025 d. 1.005

d. 1.005

Daily toothbrushing and flossing can be encouraged for the child on chemotherapy when the platelet count is above which? a. 10,000/mm3 b. 20,000/mm3 c. 30,000/mm3 d. 40,000/mm3

d. 40,000/mm3

What pain management approach is most effective for a child who is having a bone marrow test? a. Relaxation techniques b. Administration of an opioid c. EMLA cream applied over site d. Conscious or unconscious sedation

d. Conscious or unconscious sedation

What chemotherapeutic agent is classified as an antitumor antibiotic? a. Cisplatin (Platinol AQ) b. Vincristine (Oncovin) c. Methotrexate (Texall) d. Daunorubicin (Cerubidine)

d. Daunorubicin (Cerubidine)

The parents of a child with cancer tell the nurse that a bone marrow transplant (BMT) may be necessary. What information should the nurse recognize as important when discussing this with the family? a. BMT should be done at the time of diagnosis. b. Parents and siblings of the child have a 25% chance of being a suitable donor. c. If BMT fails, chemotherapy or radiotherapy will need to be continued. d. Finding a suitable donor involves matching antigens from the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system.

d. Finding a suitable donor involves matching antigens from the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system.

Postoperative positioning for a child who has had a medulloblastoma brain tumor (infratentorial) removed should be which? a. Trendelenburg b. Head of bed elevated above heart level c. Flat on operative side with pillows behind the head d. Flat, on either side with pillows behind the back

d. Flat, on either side with pillows behind the back

A child has an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 500/mm3. The nurse should expect to be administering which prescribed treatment? a. Platelets b. Packed red blood cells c. Zofran (ondansetron) d. G-CSF (Neupogen) daily

d. G-CSF (Neupogen) daily

What immunization should not be given to a child receiving chemotherapy for cancer? a. Tetanus vaccine b. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine c. Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) d. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

d. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

What is a common clinical manifestation of Hodgkin disease? a. Petechiae b. Bone and joint pain c. Painful, enlarged lymph nodes d. Nontender enlargement of lymph nodes

d. Nontender enlargement of lymph nodes

Total-body irradiation is indicated for what reason? a. palliative care b. Lymphoma therapy c. Definitive therapy for leukemia d. Preparation for bone marrow transplant

d. Preparation for bone marrow transplant

What side effect commonly occurs with corticosteroid (prednisone) therapy? a. Alopecia b. Anorexia c. Nausea and vomiting d. Susceptibility to infection

d. Susceptibility to infection