CHAPTER 15 REVIEW QUESTIONS
The nurse is caring for an 18-yr-old female patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia that is scheduled for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of the procedure?
"Before the transplant, I will have chemotherapy and possibly full-body radiation." Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires eradication of diseased or cancer cells. This is accomplished by administering higher-than-usual dosages of chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. A relative such as a brother would not be a perfect match with human leukocyte antigens; only identical twins are an exact match. HSCT is an intensive procedure with adverse effects and possible death. HSCT recipients can expect a 2- to 4-week hospitalization after the transplant.
Which statement by the nurse most facilitates patient cancer prevention during the promotion stage of cancer development?
"Follow smoking cessation recommendations." The promotion stage of cancer is characterized by the reversible proliferation of the altered cells. Changing the lifestyle to avoid promoting factors (dietary fat, obesity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption) can reduce the chance of cancer development. Cigarette smoking is a promoting factor and a carcinogen. Daily exercise and vitamins alone will not prevent cancer. Surgery at this stage may not be possible without a critical mass of cells, and this advice would not be consistent with the nurse's role.
The nurse assesses a 76-yr-old man with chronic myeloid leukemia receiving chemotherapy using a kinase inhibitor medication. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask?
"Have you had a fever?" An adverse effect of kinase inhibitors is neutropenia. Infection is common in neutropenic patients and is the primary cause of death in cancer patients. Patients should report a temperature of 100.4° F or higher. The other options are possible while undergoing chemotherapy but do not represent the highest priority for assessment.
The patient has osteosarcoma of the right leg. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that the patient's vital signs are normal, but the patient says he still has pain in his leg and it is getting worse. Which question would best determine treatment measures for the patient's pain?
"What does the pain feel like?" The UAP told the nurse the location of the patient's pain and the patient reports worsening of pain (pattern). Asking about the quality of the pain will help in planning further treatment. The nurse should already know if the patient is using medication to relieve the pain or can check the patient's medication administration record to see if analgesics have been administered. The intensity of pain using a pain scale should also be assessed.
A female patient is having chemotherapy for brain metastasis. She is concerned about how she will look when she loses her hair. What is the best response by the nurse to this patient?
"You can get a wig now to match your hair so you will not look different."
A 33-yr-old patient has recently been diagnosed with stage II cervical cancer. Which statement by the nurse best explains the diagnosis?
"Your cancer was identified in the cervix and has limited local spread." Stage II cancer is associated with limited local spread. Stage 0 denotes cancer in situ or at the point of origin only; stage I denotes tumor limited to the tissue of origin with localized tumor growth. Stage III denotes extensive local and regional spread. Stage IV denotes metastasis such as to the liver.
Which item would be most beneficial when providing oral care to a patient with metastatic cancer who is at risk for oral tissue injury secondary to chemotherapy?
1 tsp salt in 1 L water mouth rinse A salt-water mouth rinse will not cause further irritation to oral tissue that is fragile because of mucositis, which is a side effect of chemotherapy. A soft-bristle toothbrush will be used. One teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate may be added to the salt-water solution to decrease odor, alleviate pain, and dissolve mucin. Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol-based mouthwash are not used because they would damage the oral tissue.
The nurse is caring for a patient suffering from anorexia secondary to chemotherapy. Which strategy would be most appropriate to increase the patient's nutritional intake?
Add items such as skim milk powder, cheese, honey, or peanut butter to selected foods. The nurse can increase the nutritional density of foods by adding items high in protein and/or calories (e.g., peanut butter, skim milk powder, cheese, honey, brown sugar) to foods the patient will eat. Increasing fluid intake at mealtime fills the stomach with fluid and decreases the desire to eat. Small frequent meals are best tolerated. Supplements can be helpful.
Which patient is statistically and medically at the highest risk of developing cancer?
A 56-yr-old African American man with hepatitis C who drinks alcohol daily The combination of statistically identified risk factors in addition to current liver disease (hepatitis C that is linked to the development of liver cancer) and the added promotor of alcohol makes this patient at the highest risk. Second is the white woman with the gene for breast cancer and the added promotor of obesity. The majority of cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals older than 55 years of age. The overall incidence of cancer is higher in men than women. Cancer incidence is higher in African Americans, then whites, and then people from other cultures.
The patient was told that he would have intraperitoneal chemotherapy. He asks the nurse when the IV will be started for the chemotherapy. What should the nurse teach the patient about this type of chemotherapy delivery?
A Silastic catheter will be percutaneously placed in the abdomen for chemotherapy administration. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is delivered to the peritoneal cavity via a temporary percutaneously inserted Silastic catheter and drained from this catheter after the dwell time in the peritoneum. The Ommaya reservoir is used for intraventricular chemotherapy. Intravesical bladder chemotherapy is delivered via a urinary catheter. Intraarterial chemotherapy is delivered via a surgically placed catheter that delivers chemotherapy via an external or internal infusion pump.
Previous administrations of chemotherapy agents to a cancer patient have resulted in diarrhea. Which dietary modification should the nurse recommend?
A bland, low-fiber diet Patients experiencing diarrhea secondary to chemotherapy or radiation therapy often benefit from a diet low in seasonings and roughage before the treatment. Foods should be easy to digest and low in fat. Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and should be minimized during treatment. Whole and organic foods do not prevent diarrhea.
The patient is receiving immunotherapy and targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. What medication should the nurse expect to administer before therapy to combat the most common side effects of these medications?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Acetaminophen is administered before therapy and every 4 hours to prevent or decrease the intensity of the severe flu-like symptoms, especially with interferon which is frequently used for ovarian cancer. Morphine sulfate and ibuprofen will not decrease flu-like symptoms. Ondansetron is an antiemetic but is not used first to combat flu-like symptoms of headache, fever, chills, myalgias, and so on.
The patient is told that her adenoma tumor is not encapsulated but has normally differentiated cells and surgery will be needed. The patient asks the nurse what this means. What should the nurse tell the patient?
It is probably benign. Benign tumors are usually encapsulated, have normally differentiated cells, and do not metastasize. Malignant tumors are rarely encapsulated, have poorly differentiated cells, and are capable of metastasis.
A patient with breast cancer is having teletherapy radiation treatments after her surgery. What should the nurse teach the patient about the care of her skin?
Avoid heat and cold to the treatment area. Avoiding heat and cold in the treatment area will protect it. Only mild soap and unscented, nonmedicated lotions may be used to prevent skin damage. The patient will want to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing such as a bra over the treatment field and will want to expose the area to air as often as possible.
The nurse is teaching a wellness class to a group of women at their workplace. Which findings represent the highest risk for developing cancer?
Body mass index of 35 kg/m2 and smoking cigarettes for 20 years Cancer prevention and early detection are associated with the following behaviors: limited alcohol use, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, obtaining regular cancer screenings, avoiding cigarette smoking and other tobacco use, using sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and practicing healthy dietary habits (e.g., reduced fat and increased fruits and vegetables).
Patients may reduce the risk of developing cancer using health promotion strategies.Identify strategies which can reduce the risk of developing cancer (select all that apply.).
CONTROL weight genetic testing immunizations sunscreen stop drinking stop smoking Changing a person's lifestyle can limit cancer promotors, which is key in cancer prevention. Immunizations such as human papilloma virus (HPV) can prevent cervical cancer. Use of sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) can prevent cell damage and development of skin cancer. Cigarette smoke can initiate or promote cancer development. Alcohol intake combined with cigarette smoking can promote esophageal and bladder cancers. Management of weight can reduce the risk of cancer. Genetic testing (i.e., APC gene) identifies the predisposition of colorectal cancer.
The laboratory reports that the cells from the patient's tumor biopsy are grade II. What should the nurse know about this histologic grading?
Cells are abnormal and moderately differentiated. Grade II cells are more abnormal than grade I and moderately differentiated. Grade I cells differ slightly from normal cells and are well-differentiated. Grade III cells are very abnormal and poorly differentiated. Grade IV cells are immature, primitive, and undifferentiated; the cell origin is difficult to determine.
A patient has been diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma. In the initiation stage of cancer, the cells genetic structure is mutated. Exposure to what may have functioned as a carcinogen for this patient?
Epstein-Barr virus Burkitt's lymphoma consistently shows evidence of the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in vitro. Bacteria do not initiate cancer. Sun exposure causes cell alterations leading to melanoma and squamous and basal cell skin carcinoma. Long-term exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., ethylene oxide, chloroform, benzene) is known to initiate cancer.
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving an initial dose of chemotherapy to treat a rapidly growing metastatic colon cancer. The nurse is aware that the patient is at risk for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and will monitor for which abnormality associated with this oncologic emergency?
Hypocalcemia TLS is a metabolic complication characterized by rapid release of intracellular components in response to chemotherapy. This can rapidly lead to acute renal injury. The hallmark signs of TLS are hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalemia, and hypocalcemia.
When caring for the patient with cancer, what does the nurse understand as the response of the immune system to antigens of the malignant cells?
Immunologic surveillance Immunologic surveillance is the process in which lymphocytes check cell surface antigens and detect and destroy cells with abnormal or altered antigenic determinants to prevent these cells from developing into clinically detectable tumors. Metastasis is increased growth rate of the tumor, increased invasiveness, and spread of the cancer to a distant site in the progression stage of cancer development. Tumor angiogenesis is the process of blood vessels forming within the tumor itself. Immunologic escape is the cancer cells' evasion of immunologic surveillance that allows the cancer cells to reproduce.
A 64-yr-old male patient who is receiving radiation to the head and neck as treatment for an invasive malignant tumor complains of mouth sores and pain. Which intervention should the nurse add to the plan of care?
Provide high-protein and high-calorie, soft foods every 2 hours. A patient with stomatitis should have soft, nonirritating foods offered frequently. The diet should be high in protein and high in calories to aid healing. Extremes of temperature are to be avoided. Saline or water should be used to cleanse the mouth (not hydrogen peroxide). Patients should be weighed at least twice each week to monitor for weight loss.
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient experiencing myelosuppression secondary to chemotherapy for cancer treatment?
Risk for infection Myelosuppression is accompanied by a high risk of infection and sepsis. Hypothermia, powerlessness, and acute pain are also possible nursing diagnoses for patients undergoing chemotherapy, but the threat of infection is paramount.
A 70-yr-old man who has end-stage lung cancer is admitted to the hospital with confusion and oliguria for 2 days. Which finding would the nurse report immediately to the health care provider?
Serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L Lung cancer cells are able to manufacture and release antidiuretic hormone (ADH) with resultant water retention and hyponatremia. Hyponatremia (serum sodium levels less than 135 mEq/L) may lead to central nervous system symptoms such as confusion, seizures, coma, and death. The other options listed are also symptoms of hyponatremia but are not as critical to report to the health care provider.
The patient is being treated with brachytherapy for cervical cancer. What factors must the nurse be aware of to protect herself when caring for this patient?
The time the nurse spends at what distance from the patient The principles of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) and time, distance, and shielding are essential to maintain the nurse's safety when the patient is a source of internal radiation. The patient's medications, nutritional supplements, and time needed to complete care will not protect the nurse caring for a patient with brachytherapy for cervical cancer.
The patient is receiving an IV vesicant chemotherapy drug. The nurse notices swelling and redness at the site. What should the nurse do first?
Turn off the chemotherapy infusion. Because extravasation of vesicants may cause severe local tissue breakdown and necrosis, with any sign of extravasation, the infusion should first be stopped. Then the protocol for the drug-specific extravasation procedures should be followed to minimize further tissue damage. The site of extravasation usually hurts, but it may not. It is more important to stop the infusion immediately. The health care provider may be notified by another nurse while the patient's nurse starts the drug-specific extravasation procedures, which may or may not include sterile saline.
A patient has multiple myeloma and will be treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation because a suitable donor has not been found. In which order will the following procedures occur?
When the patient donates the stem cells for the autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, first filgrastim or another granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is given along with plerixafor to increase the number of stem cells released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. Peripheral stem cells are collected at an outpatient center, treated to remove undetected cancer cells, and cryopreserved to be stored for later use. Then the patient is treated with myeloablative chemotherapy to destroy the bone marrow. The preserved stem cells are then infused after the chemotherapy has been eliminated from the patient's body, approximately 24 to 48 hours after the last dose of chemotherapy.
The patient and his family are upset that the patient is going through procedures to diagnose cancer. What nursing actions should the nurse use first to facilitate their coping with this situation (select all that apply.)?
maintain hope exhibit caring attitude available to listen to fears and concerns Maintaining hope, exhibiting a caring attitude, and being available to actively listen to fears and concerns would be the first nursing interventions to use as well as assessing factors affecting coping during the diagnostic period. Providing relief from distressing symptoms for the patient and teaching them about the diagnostic procedures would also be important. Realistic long-term goals and teaching about the type of cancer cannot be done until the cancer is diagnosed. Giving the family antianxiety medications would not be appropriate.
