complications of cancer (10)

A patient has developed stomatitis from chemotherapy. What should the appropriate intervention for this condition include? a. Instruction in the following of a liquid diet b. Using a commercial mouthwash after each meal c. Cleaning teeth with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide d. Using a soft toothbrush

ANS: D The use of a soft toothbrush to clean the teeth and rinsing with normal saline or soda will prevent added discomfort and bleeding.

A client in the oncology clinic reports her family is frustrated at her ongoing fatigue 4 months after radiation therapy for breast cancer. What response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Are you getting adequate rest and sleep each day? b. It is normal to be fatigued even for years afterward. c. This is not normal and Ill let the provider know. d. Try adding more vitamins B and C to your diet.

ANS: B Regardless of the cause, radiation-induced fatigue can be debilitating and may last for months or years after treatment has ended. Rest and adequate nutrition can affect fatigue, but it is most important that the client understands this is normal.

A hospitalized patient who has received chemotherapy for leukemia develops neutropenia. Which observation by the nurse would indicate a need for further teaching? a. The patient ambulates several times a day in the room. b. The patients visitors bring in some fresh peaches from home. c. The patient cleans with a warm washcloth after having a stool. d. The patient uses soap and shampoo to shower every other day.

ANS: B Fresh, thinned-skin fruits are not permitted in a neutropenic diet because of the risk of bacteria being present. The patient should ambulate in the room rather than the hospital hallway to avoid exposure to other patients or visitors. Because overuse of soap can dry the skin and increase infection risk, showering every other day is acceptable. Careful cleaning after having a bowel movement will help prevent skin breakdown and infection.

External-beam radiation is planned for a patient with cervical cancer. What instructions should the nurse give to the patient to prevent complications from the effects of the radiation? a. Test all stools for the presence of blood. b. Maintain a high-residue, high-fiber diet. c. Clean the perianal area carefully after every bowel movement. d. Inspect the mouth and throat daily for the appearance of thrush.

ANS: C Radiation to the abdomen will affect organs in the radiation path, such as the bowel, and cause frequent diarrhea. Careful cleaning of this area will help decrease the risk for skin breakdown and infection. Stools are likely to have occult blood from the inflammation associated with radiation, so routine testing of stools for blood is not indicated. Radiation to the abdomen will not cause stomatitis. A low-residue diet is recommended to avoid irritation of the bowel when patients receive abdominal radiation.

A patient with metastatic cancer of the colon experiences severe vomiting following each administration of chemotherapy. Which action, if taken by the nurse, is most appropriate? a. Have the patient eat large meals when nausea is not present. b. Offer dry crackers and carbonated fluids during chemotherapy. c. Administer prescribed antiemetics 1 hour before the treatments. d. Give the patient two ounces of a citrus fruit beverage during treatments.

ANS: C Treatment with antiemetics before chemotherapy may help prevent nausea. The patient should eat small, frequent meals. Offering food and beverages during chemotherapy is likely to cause nausea. The acidity of citrus fruits may be further irritating to the stomach.

After change-of-shift report on the oncology unit, which patient should the nurse assess first? a. Patient who has a platelet count of 82,000/L after chemotherapy b. Patient who has xerostomia after receiving head and neck radiation c. Patient who is neutropenic and has a temperature of 100.5 F (38.1 C) d. Patient who is worried about getting the prescribed long-acting opioid on time

ANS: C Temperature elevation is an emergency in neutropenic patients because of the risk for rapid progression to severe infections and sepsis. The other patients also require assessments or interventions, but do not need to be assessed as urgently. Patients with thrombocytopenia do not have spontaneous bleeding until the platelets are 20,000/L. Xerostomia does not require immediate intervention. Although breakthrough pain needs to be addressed rapidly, the patient does not appear to have breakthrough pain.

A patient receiving head and neck radiation for larynx cancer has ulcerations over the oral mucosa and tongue and thick, ropey saliva. Which instructions should the nurse give to this patient? a. Remove food debris from the teeth and oral mucosa with a stiff toothbrush. b. Use cotton-tipped applicators dipped in hydrogen peroxide to clean the teeth. c. Gargle and rinse the mouth several times a day with an antiseptic mouthwash. d. Rinse the mouth before and after each meal and at bedtime with a saline solution.

ANS: D The patient should rinse the mouth with a saline solution frequently. A soft toothbrush is used for oral care. Hydrogen peroxide may damage tissues. Antiseptic mouthwashes may irritate the oral mucosa and are not recommended.

The nurse obtains information about a hospitalized patient who is receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Which information about the patient alerts the nurse to discuss a possible change in therapy with the health care provider? a. Poor oral intake b. Frequent loose stools c. Complaints of nausea and vomiting d. Increase in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

ANS: D An increase in CEA indicates that the chemotherapy is not effective for the patients cancer and may need to be modified. The other patient findings are common adverse effects of chemotherapy. The nurse may need to address these, but they would not necessarily indicate a need for a change in therapy.

A patient with leukemia is considering whether to have hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The nurse will include which information in the patients teaching plan? a. Transplant of the donated cells is painful because of the nerves in the tissue lining the bone. b. Donor bone marrow cells are transplanted through an incision into the sternum or hip bone. c. The transplant procedure takes place in a sterile operating room to minimize the risk for infection. d. Hospitalization will be required for several weeks after the stem cell transplant procedure is performed.

ANS: D The patient requires strict protective isolation to prevent infection for 2 to 4 weeks after HSCT while waiting for the transplanted marrow to start producing cells. The transplanted cells are infused through an IV line, so the transplant is not painful, nor is an operating room or incision required.

A client diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma develops radiation pneumonitis 3 months after radiation treatment. For which symptoms of radiation pneumonitis should a nurse observe the client? 1. Tachypnea, hypotension, and fever 2. Cough, fever, and dyspnea 3. Bradypnea, cough, and decreased urine output 4. Cough, tachycardia, and altered mental status

ANSWER: 2 Cough, fever, and dyspnea are classic symptoms in radiation pneumonitis due to a decrease in the surfactant in the lung. Hypotension, decreased urine output, and altered mental status are symptoms that are not common in radiation pneumonitis.

A nurse notes the illustrated skin changes on the arm of a client who is 19 days post autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation (PBSCT) for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A nurse notifies the physician, suspecting that the client is most likely experiencing: 1. herpes zoster. 2. a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line infection. 3. graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). 4. an allergic reaction to a medication.

ANSWER: 3 Acute GVHD may initially appear as a pruritic or painful skin rash. Lesions are red to violet and typically first appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, cheeks, neck, ears, and upper trunk. They can progress to involve the whole body. The median onset is post-transplantation day 19, with a range of 5 to 47 days.

An oncology nurse is caring for a patient who has developed erythema following radiation therapy. What should the nurse instruct the patient to do? A) Periodically apply ice to the area. B) Keep the area cleanly shaven. C) Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area. D) Avoid using soap on the treatment area.

Ans: D Feedback: Care to the affected area must focus on preventing further skin irritation, drying, and damage. Soaps, petroleum ointment, and shaving the area could worsen the erythema. Ice is also contraindicated.

A client who is immunosuppressed is being admitted to the hospital on neutropenic precautions. Which nursing interventions should be implemented to protect the client from infection? Select all that apply. 1. Restrict all visitors. 2. Admit the client to a private room. 3. Place a mask on the client if the client leaves the room. 4. Use strict aseptic technique for all invasive procedures. 5. Place a "See the Nurse Before Entering" sign on the door to the room. 6. Remove a vase with fresh flowers in the room that was left by

Answer: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Rationale: The client should wear a mask for protection from exposure to microorganisms whenever he or she leaves the room. The client who is on neutropenic precautions is immunosuppressed and therefore is admitted to a private room on the nursing unit. The use of strict aseptic technique is necessary with all invasive procedures to prevent infection. A sign indicating "See the Nurse Before Entering" should be placed on the door to the client's room, so the nurse can ensure that neutropenic precautions are implemented by anyone entering the room. Sources of standing water and fresh flowers should be removed to decrease the microorganism count. Not all visitors must be restricted; however, visitors need to be restricted to healthy adults and must perform strict hand-washing procedures and don a mask before entering the client's room

A client receiving chemotherapy has an extremely low white blood cell count and is immediately placed on neutropenic precautions that include a low-bacteria diet. Which food items is the client now allowed to consume? Select all that apply. 1. Raw celery 2. Fresh apple 3. Italian bread 4. Tossed salad 5. Baked chicken 6. Well-cooked cheeseburger

Answer: 3, 5, 6 Rationale: An extremely low white blood cell count places the client at risk for infection. In the immunocompromised client, a low-bacteria diet is implemented. Italian bread, baked chicken, and a well-done cheeseburger are acceptable to consume because all products are thoroughly cooked. The client avoids eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables harbor organisms and place the client at risk for infection.

A patient undergoing external radiation has developed a dry desquamation of the skin in the treatment area. The nurse teaches the patient about management of the skin reaction. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates the teaching was effective? a. I can buy some aloe vera gel to use on the area. b. I will expose the treatment area to a sun lamp daily. c. I can use ice packs to relieve itching in the treatment area. d. I will scrub the area with warm water to remove the scales.

ANS: A Aloe vera gel and cream may be used on the radiated skin area. Ice and sunlamps may injure the skin. Treatment areas should be cleaned gently to avoid further injury.

A male patient is undergoing external radiation therapy on an outpatient basis for treatment of Hodgkin disease. After 2 weeks of treatment, he tells the nurse that he is so tired he can hardly get out of bed in the morning. Which is an appropriate goal? a. Take two rest periods during the day. b. Ambulate in the hall four times a day. c. Select two activities for distraction. d. Investigate a consultation with a psychiatrist for treatment of depression.

ANS: A The person undergoing radiation therapy should be assured that lethargy and fatigue are not uncommon during treatment, and that frequent rest periods are helpful. Periods of rest are very beneficial.

A patient develops neutropenia after receiving chemotherapy. Which information about ways to prevent infection will the nurse include in the teaching plan (select all that apply)? a. Cook food thoroughly before eating. b. Choose low fiber, low residue foods. c. Avoid public transportation such as buses. d. Use rectal suppositories if needed for constipation. e. Talk to the oncologist before having any dental work done.

ANS: A, C, E Eating only cooked food and avoiding public transportation will decrease infection risk. A high-fiber diet is recommended for neutropenic patients to decrease constipation. Because bacteria may enter the circulation during dental work or oral surgery, the patient may need to postpone dental work or take antibiotics.

A chemotherapy drug that causes alopecia is prescribed for a patient. Which action should the nurse take to maintain the patients self-esteem? a. Tell the patient to limit social contacts until regrowth of the hair occurs. b. Encourage the patient to purchase a wig or hat and wear it once hair loss begins. c. Teach the patient to gently wash hair with a mild shampoo to minimize hair loss. d. Inform the patient that hair usually grows back once the chemotherapy is complete.

ANS: B The patient is taught to anticipate hair loss and to be prepared with wigs, scarves, or hats. Limiting social contacts is not appropriate at a time when the patient is likely to need a good social support system. The damage occurs at the hair follicle and will occur regardless of gentle washing or use of a mild shampoo. The information that the hair will grow back is not immediately helpful in maintaining the patients self-esteem.

An older adult patient who has colorectal cancer is receiving IV fluids at 175 mL/hour in conjunction with the prescribed chemotherapy. Which finding by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider? a. Patient complains of severe fatigue. b. Patient needs to void every hour during the day. c. Patient takes only 50% of meals and refuses snacks. d. Patient has audible crackles to the midline posterior chest.

ANS: D Rapid fluid infusions may cause heart failure, especially in older patients. The other findings are common in patients who have cancer and/or are receiving chemotherapy.

The nurse reviews the laboratory results of a patient who is receiving chemotherapy. Which laboratory result is most important to report to the health care provider? a. Hematocrit of 30% b. Platelets of 95,000/L c. Hemoglobin of 10 g/L d. White blood cell (WBC) count of 2700/L

ANS: D The low WBC count places the patient at risk for severe infection and is an indication that the chemotherapy dose may need to be lower or that WBC growth factors such as filgrastim (Neupogen) are needed. Although the other laboratory data indicate decreased levels, they do not indicate any immediate life-threatening adverse effects of the chemotherapy.

A patient has been assigned the nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to painful oral ulcers. Which nursing action will be most effective in improving oral intake? a. Offer the patient frequent small snacks between meals. b. Assist the patient to choose favorite foods from the menu. c. Provide teaching about the importance of nutritional intake. d. Apply the ordered anesthetic gel to oral lesions before meals.

ANS: D Because the etiology of the patients poor nutrition is the painful oral ulcers, the best intervention is to apply anesthetic gel to the lesions before the patient eats. The other actions might be helpful for other patients with impaired nutrition, but would not be as helpful for this patient.

The nurse on a bone marrow transplant unit is caring for a patient with cancer who is preparing for HSCT. What is a priority nursing diagnosis for this patient? A) Fatigue related to altered metabolic processes B) Altered nutrition: less than body requirements related to anorexia C) Risk for infection related to altered immunologic response D) Body image disturbance related to weight loss and anorexia

ANS C A priority nursing diagnosis for this patient is risk for infection related to altered immunologic response. Because the patient's immunity is suppressed, he or she will be at a high risk for infection. The other listed nursing diagnoses are valid, but they are not as high a priority as is risk for infection.

A client has mucositis. What actions by the nurse will improve the clients nutrition? (Select all that apply.) a. Assist with rinsing the mouth with saline frequently. b. Encourage the client to eat room-temperature foods. c. Give the client hot liquids to hold in the mouth. d. Provide local anesthetic medications to swish and spit. e. Remind the client to brush teeth gently after each meal

ANS: A, B, D, E Mucositis can interfere with nutrition. The nurse can help with rinsing the mouth frequently with water or saline; encouraging the client to eat cool, slightly warm, or room-temperature foods; providing swish-and-spit anesthetics; and reminding the client to keep the mouth clean by brushing gently after each meal. Hot liquids would be painful for the client.

A nurse provides care on a bone marrow transplant unit and is preparing a female patient for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) the following day. What information should the nurse emphasize to the patients family and friends? A) Your family should likely gather at the bedside in case theres a negative outcome. B) Make sure she doesnt eat any food in the 24 hours before the procedure. C) Wear a hospital gown when you go into the patients room. D) Do not visit if youve had a recent infection.

ANS: D Feedback: Before HSCT, patients are at a high risk for infection, sepsis, and bleeding. Visitors should not visit if they have had a recent illness or vaccination. Gowns should indeed be worn, but this is secondary in importance to avoiding the patients contact with ill visitors. Prolonged fasting is unnecessary. Negative outcomes are possible, but the procedure would not normally be so risky as to require the family to gather at the bedside

A nurse assesses that a client, who is receiving radiation for cervical cancer, continues to have diarrhea. Which nursing advice is most appropriate for this client? 1. Take sitz baths twice daily and eat a low-residue diet. 2. Drink fluids low in potassium and take frequent tub baths. 3. Increase your intake of milk products and take frequent showers. 4. Drink fluids high in sodium and apply hydrocolloid dressings to reddened areas.

ANSWER: 1 Clients are advised to take sitz (or tub) baths for comfort and to eat a low-residue diet to decrease roughage and bowel irritability. Intake of fluids that are high in potassium (not low) is recommended to replace electrolytes lost through diarrhea. Frequent tub bathing or showers can aggravate the skin and are not recommended. Milk products are discouraged because they increase bowel irritability. Intake of fluids high in sodium should be avoided because it contributes to water retention; but hydrocolloid dressings may be used on reddened areas to promote healing.

A patient with Hodgkins lymphoma who is undergoing external radiation therapy tells the nurse, I am so tired I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. Which intervention should the nurse add to the plan of care? a. Minimize activity until the treatment is completed. b. Establish time to take a short walk almost every day. c. Consult with a psychiatrist for treatment of depression. d. Arrange for delivery of a hospital bed to the patients home.

ANS: B Walking programs are used to keep the patient active without excessive fatigue. Having a hospital bed does not necessarily address the fatigue. The better option is to stay as active as possible while combating fatigue. Fatigue is expected during treatment and is not an indication of depression. Minimizing activity may lead to weakness and other complications of immobility.

The student nurse caring for clients who have cancer understands that the general consequences of cancer include which client problems? (Select all that apply.) a. Clotting abnormalities from thrombocythemia b. Increased risk of infection from white blood cell deficits c. Nutritional deficits such as early satiety and cachexia d. Potential for reduced gas exchange e. Various motor and sensory deficits

ANS: B, C, D, E The general consequences of cancer include reduced immunity and blood-producing functions, altered GI structure and function, decreased respiratory function, and motor and sensory deficits. Clotting problems often occur due to thrombocytopenia (not enough platelets), not thrombocythemia (too many platelets).

The anorexia-cachexia syndrome that is common toward the end-of-life is characterized by: a. anemia. b. alterations in carbohydrate metabolism. c. endocrine dysfunction. d. all of the above, plus altered fat and altered protein metabolism.

d. all of the above, plus altered fat and altered protein metabolism

The most common cause of bleeding in cancer patients is: a. anemia. b. coagulation disorders. c. hypoxemia. d. thrombocyotpenia.

d. thrombocyotpenia.