NR 450 Cancer Questions

A client with colon cancer undergoes surgical removal of a segment of a colon and creation of a sigmoid colostomy. What assessments by the nurse indicate the client is developing complications within the first 24 hours? Select all that apply. a) Coarse breath sounds auscultated bilaterally at the bases. b) Dusky appearance of the stoma c) No drainage in the ostomy appliance d) Temperature of 101.2 F (38.4C) e) Decreased bowel sounds

a) Coarse breath sounds auscultated bilaterally at the bases. b) Dusky appearance of the stoma c) Temperature of 101.2 F (38.4C)

The nurse is instructing a client with cancer who is receiving chemotherapy about reporting signs of infection. Which is the most reliable early indicator of infection of a client who is neutropenic? a) Fever b) Chills c) Tachycardia d) Dyspnea

a) Fever

A 42 year old female construction worker is concerned about her cancer risks. She has been married for 18 years, has 2 children, smokes one pack of cigarettes per day and occasionally drinks one to two beers. She is 30 pounds (13.6 kg) overweight, eats fried fast food often and rarely eats fresh fruits and vegetables. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago. Her father and an aunt both died of lung cancer. She had a basal cell carcinoma removed from her cheek 3 years earlier. What behavioral changes should the nurse encourage this client to make to decrease her risk of cancer? Select all that apply: a) Improve nutrition b) Decrease alcohol consumption c) Use sunscreen d) Stop smoking e) Lose weight f) Change her job to work inside

a) Improve nutrition b) Use sunscreen c) Stop smoking d) Lose weight

A client is receiving monthly doses of chemotherapy for treatment of stage III colon cancer. Which laboratory results should the nurse report to the oncologist before the next dose of chemotherapy is administered? Select all that apply. a) Hemoglobin of 14.5 g/dL b) Platelet count of 40,000 mm3 c) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 12 mg/dL d) White blood cell count (WBC) of 2.3 e) Temperature of 101.2F (38.4C) f) Urine specific gravity of 1.020

a) Platelet count of 40,000 mm3 b) White blood cell count (WBC) of 2.3 c) Temperature of 101.2F (38.4C)

Which information should be included in the teaching plan for a client with cancer who is experiencing thrombocytopenia? Select all that apply. a) Use an electric razor. b) Use a soft bristled toothbrush. c) Avoid frequent flossing for oral care. d) Include an over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) daily for pain control. e) Monitor temperature daily. f) Report bleeding, such as nosebleed, petechiae, or melena to a health care provider (HCP).

a) Use an electric razor. b) Use a soft bristled toothbrush. c) Avoid frequent flossing for oral care. d) Report bleeding, such as nosebleed, petechiae, or melena to a health care provider (HCP).

A client who is receiving chemotherapy develops stomatitis. What should the nurse instruct the client to do? a) Rinse the mouth with full strength hydrogen peroxide every four hours. b) Use a soft bristled toothbrush after each meal. c) Drink hot tea with honey to soothe the painful oral mucosa. d) Avoid using dental floss until the stomatitis is resolved.

b) Use a soft bristled toothbrush after each meal.

The client who is receiving chemotherapy is not eating well, but otherwise feels healthy. What should the nurse suggest the client eat? a) Cereal with milk and strawberries b) Toast, jello, cookies c) Broiled chicken, green beans and cottage cheese d) Steak and French fries

c) Broiled chicken, green beans and cottage cheese

The nurse caring for a client who is receiving external beam radiation therapy for the treatment of lung cancer. What should the nurse assess the client for while receiving radiation therapy? a) Diarrhea b) Improved energy level c) Dysphagia d) Normal white blood cell count

c) Dysphagia

A client with cancer is receiving radiation therapy and develops thrombocytopenia What is the priority nursing goal to prevent which effect of thrombocytopenia for this client? a) Pain related to spontaneous bleeding episodes b) Altered nutrition related to anemia c) Injury related to decreased platelet count d) Skin breakdown related to decreased tissue perfusion

c) Injury related to decreased platelet count

A client receiving chemotherapy for cancer has an elevated serum creatinine level. What should the nurse do next? a) Cancel the next scheduled chemotherapy. b) Administer the scheduled dose of chemotherapy c) Notify the health care provider (HCP) d) Obtain a urine specimen

c) Notify the health care provider (HCP)

A client is taking doxorubicin and is distressed about hair loss. What should the nurse do? a) Have the client wash and massage the scalp daily to stimulate hair growth. b) Explain that hair loss is temporary and will quickly grow back to its original appearance. c) Provide resources for a wig selection before hair loss begins. d) Recommend that the client limit social contacts until the hair regrows.

c) Provide resources for a wig selection before hair loss begins.

A client undergoing chemotherapy has a WBC count of 2.3, a hgb of 9.8, a platelet count of 80,000 and a potassium of 3.8. Which finding should take priority? a) Blood pressure of 136/88 b) Emesis of 90 ml c) Temperature of 101F (38.3) d) Urine output of 40 ml/hr

c) Temperature of 101F (38.3)

When preparing to administer a chemotherapeutic agent to a client, what should the nurse do? a) Recap all needles used to prepare agents b) Dispose of chemotherapy waste in the client's bedside trash. c) Use gloves and disposable long sleeved gowns while handling agents. d) Administer only prepared agents from the manufacturer.

c) Use gloves and disposable long sleeved gowns while handling agents.

A client at risk for lung cancer asks about the reason for having a computed tomography (CT) scan as part of the initial exam. What is the nurse's best response? "A CT scan is: a) Far superior to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating lymph node metastasis. b) Noninvasive and readily available. c) Useful for diagnosing small differences in tissue density and detecting nodal involvement d) Used to distinguish a malignant from a nonmalignant adenopathy

c) Useful for diagnosing small differences in tissue density and detecting nodal involvement

The nurse is instructing a client about skin care while receiving radiation therapy to the chest. What should the nurse instruct the client to do? a) Apply lotion if the skin becomes dry. b) Shave the chest to prevent contamination from chest hair. c) Wash the area with tepid water and mild soap. d) Keep the area covered with a nonadherent dressing between treatments.

c) Wash the area with tepid water and mild soap.

Which client is at highest risk for colorectal cancer? The client: a) Who smoked one pack a day for 30 years b) Who follow a vegetarian diet c) Who has been treated for Chron's disease for 20 years d) With a family history of lung cancer

c) Who has been treated for Chron's disease for 20 years

A client is receiving chemotherapy for the diagnosis of brain cancer. When teaching the client about contamination from excretion of the chemotherapy drugs within 48 hours, what should the nurse tell the client? a) A bathroom can be shared with an adult who is not pregnant. b) Urinary and bowel excretions are not considered contaminated. c) Disposable plates and plastic utensils must be used during the entire course of chemotherapy. d) Any contaminated linens should be washed separately, and then washed a second time if necessary.

d) Any contaminated linens should be washed separately, and then washed a second time if necessary.

A client is beginning external beam radiation therapy to the right axilla after a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Which information should the nurse include in the client teaching? a) Use a heating pad under the right arm. b) Immobilize the right arm. c) Place ice on the area after the treatment. d) Apply deodorant only under the left arm.

d) Apply deodorant only under the left arm.

A 56 year old female is currently receiving radiation therapy to the chest wall for recurrent breast cancer. She has pain while swallowing and burning and tightness in her chest. The nurse should further assess the client for indications of which health problem. a) Hiatal hernia b) Stomatitis c) Radiation enteritis d) Esophagitis

d) Esophagitis

The nurse is assessing a 60 year old client who has hoarseness and a chronic sore throat. What should the nurse determine while conducting a health history with this client? Select all that apply. a) Use of acetaminophen b) Exposure to sun c) Consumption of a high fat diet d) Extent of tobacco use e) Amount of alcohol consumption

d) Extent of tobacco use e) Amount of alcohol consumption