Cancer Questions

Which nursing diagnosis should receive highest priority in a client who is receiving the chemotherapeutic agent that causes bone marrow suppression? 1. Risk of infection. 2. Activity intolerance. 3. Altered oral mucous membranes. 4. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements.

ANS: 1 Chemotherapeutic drugs that depress the bone marrow interfere with the production of WBCs. The resultant leukopenia can be life-threatening; therefore, risk of infection is the highest priority. The other nursing diagnoses, although appropriate for this client, would be of lower priority.

A 45-year-old client has just been admitted to the hospital for an abdominal hysterectomy following a diagnosis of uterine cancer. Results of lab tests indicate that the client's WBC is 9800/mm3. The nursing intervention is to 1. Call the operating room and cancel the surgery. 2. Notify the surgeon immediately. 3. Take no action as this is a normal value. 4. Call the lab and have the test repeated.

ANS: 3 The normal WBC count is 5000 to 10,000/mm3. If the results were abnormally high or low, the surgeon would have to be notified (2) and the surgery may be canceled (1). Tests with abnormal results are not routinely repeated (4) unless the results are grossly abnormal.

A client has just completed a course in radiation therapy and is experiencing radiodermatitis. The most effective method of treating the skin is to 1. Wash the area with soap and warm water. 2. Apply a cream or lotion to the area. 3. Leave the skin alone until it is clear. 4. Avoid applying creams or lotions to the area.

ANS: 4 Irradiated areas are very sensitive; all creams and lotions, which would serve to irritate the skin, should be avoided. The area should be washed with lukewarm water; a mild soap may be used, but most physicians prefer clear water.

A 52-year-old client has had a lobectomy for cancer of the left lower lobe of the lung. He is 18 hours postoperative. The nurse understands that for this client the most appropriate position immediately postoperatively is 1. Flat bed rest. 2. Turned to the unoperative side only. 3. Turned to the operative side only. 4. Semi-Fowler's position, turned to either side.

ANS: 4 Postoperatively, the client can be turned to both sides to increase full expansion of lung tissue. It is best to place him in semi-Fowler's position when his vital signs are stable to ensure full lung expansion.

A nurse working with clients who experience alopecia knows that which is the best method of helping clients manage the psychosocial impact of this problem? a. Assisting the client to pre-plan for this event b. Reassuring the client that alopecia is temporary c. Teaching the client ways to protect the scalp d. Telling the client that there are worse side effects

ANS: A - Alopecia does not occur for all clients who have cancer, but when it does, it can be devastating. The best action by the nurse is to teach the client about the possibility and to give the client multiple choices for preparing for this event. Not all clients will have the same reaction, but some possible actions the client can take are buying a wig ahead of time, buying attractive hats and scarves, and having a hairdresser modify a wig to look like the clients own hair. Teaching about scalp protection is important but does not address the psychosocial impact. Reassuring the client that hair loss is temporary and telling him or her that there are worse side effects are both patronizing and do not give the client tools to manage this condition.

The nurse working with oncology clients understands that which age-related change increases the older clients susceptibility to infection during chemotherapy? a. Decreased immune function b. Diminished nutritional stores c. Existing cognitive deficits d. Poor physical reserves

ANS: A - As people age, there is an age-related decrease in immune function, causing the older adult to be more susceptible to infection than other clients. Not all older adults have diminished nutritional stores, cognitive dysfunction, or poor physical reserves.

A patient with Hodgkin's 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 patient's 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.

A client with cancer has anorexia and mucositis, and is losing weight. The clients family members continually bring favorite foods to the client and are distressed when the client wont eat them. What action by the nurse is best? a. Explain the pathophysiologic reasons behind the client not eating. b. Help the family show other ways to demonstrate love and caring. c. Suggest foods and liquids the client might be willing to try to eat. d. Tell the family the client isnt able to eat now no matter what they bring.

ANS: B - Families often become distressed when their loved ones wont eat. Providing food is a universal sign of caring, and to some people the refusal to eat signifies worsening of the condition. The best option for the nurse is to help the family find other ways to demonstrate caring and love, because with treatment-related anorexia and mucositis, the client is not likely to eat anything right now. Explaining the rationale for the problem is a good idea but does not suggest to the family anything that they can do for the client. Simply telling the family the client is not able to eat does not give them useful information and is dismissive of their concerns.

After receiving the hand-off report, which client should the oncology nurse see first? a. Client who is afebrile with a heart rate of 108 beats/min b. Older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes c. Client who is neutropenic and in protective isolation d. Client scheduled for radiation therapy today

ANS: B - Older clients often do not exhibit classic signs of infection, and often mental status changes are the first observation. Clients on chemotherapy who become neutropenic also often do not exhibit classic signs of infection. The nurse should assess the older client first. The other clients can be seen afterward.

A client tells the oncology nurse about an upcoming vacation to the beach to celebrate completing radiation treatments for cancer. What response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Avoid getting salt water on the radiation site. b. Do not expose the radiation area to direct sunlight. c. Have a wonderful time and enjoy your vacation! d. Remember you should not drink alcohol for a year.

ANS: B - The skin overlying the radiation site is extremely sensitive to sunlight after radiation therapy has been completed. The nurse should inform the client to avoid sun exposure to this area. This advice continues for 1 year after treatment has been completed. The other statements are not appropriate.

A patient who is scheduled for a breast biopsy asks the nurse the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor. Which answer by the nurse is correct? a. "Benign tumors do not cause damage to other tissues." b. "Benign tumors are likely to recur in the same location." c. "Malignant tumors may spread to other tissues or organs." d. "Malignant cells reproduce more rapidly than normal cells."

ANS: C The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant tumors invade adjacent tissues and spread to distant tissues and benign tumors do not metastasize. The other statements are inaccurate. Both types of tumors may cause damage to adjacent tissues. Malignant cells do not reproduce more rapidly than normal cells. Benign tumors do not usually recur.

A patient with metastatic cancer of the colon experiences severe vomiting after each administration of chemotherapy. Which action, if taken by the nurse, is 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 a glass 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.

Nausea and vomiting are common adverse effects of radiation. When should a nurse administer antiemetics? A: 30 minutes before the initiation of therapy B: With the administration of therapy C: Immediately after nausea begins D: When therapy is completed

Answer: A: 30 minutes before the initiation of therapy Rationale: Antiemetics are most beneficial when given before the onset of nausea and vomiting. If the antiemetic was given with the medication or after the medication, it could lose its maximum effectiveness when needed.

A client undergoing radiation therapy has a severely depressed WBC count. The nurse should include which priority nursing intervention in the plan of care? A: Place the client in a private room and maintain strict aseptic technique with all procedures B: Encourage the client to include fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet C: Educate the client to avoid shaving with a razor D: Encourage frequent visitors to reduce the client's feelings of isolation

Answer: A: Place the client in a private room and maintain strict aseptic technique with all procedures Rationale: The immunosuppressed client is at a high risk for infection. A private room, maintaining aseptic technique, and limiting visitors will reduce exposure and risk.

A client with cancer is admitted to a short-term rehabilitation facility. The nurse prepares to administer the clients oral chemotherapy medications. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Crush the medications if the client cannot swallow them. b. Give one medication at a time with a full glass of water. c. No special precautions are needed for these medications. d. Wear personal protective equipment when handling the medications.

ANS: D - During the administration of oral chemotherapy agents, nurses must take the same precautions that are used when administering IV chemotherapy. This includes using personal protective equipment. These medications cannot be crushed, split, or chewed. Giving one at a time is not needed.

Nurse Amy is speaking to a group of women about early detection of breast cancer. The average age of the women in the group is 47. Following the American Cancer Society guidelines, the nurse should recommend that the women: a. perform breast self-examination annually. b. have a mammogram annually. c. have a hormonal receptor assay annually. d. have a physician conduct a clinical examination every 2 years.

Answer B. The American Cancer Society guidelines state, "Women older than age 40 should have a mammogram annually and a clinical examination at least annually [not every 2 years]; all women should perform breast self-examination monthly [not annually]." The hormonal receptor assay is done on a known breast tumor to determine whether the tumor is estrogen- or progesterone-dependent.

A female client with cancer is scheduled for radiation therapy. The nurse knows that radiation at any treatment site may cause a certain adverse effect. Therefore, the nurse should prepare the client to expect: a. hair loss. b. stomatitis. c. fatigue. d. vomiting.

Answer C. Radiation therapy may cause fatigue, skin toxicities, and anorexia regardless of the treatment site. Hair loss, stomatitis, and vomiting are site-specific, not generalized, adverse effects of radiation therapy.

A male client has an abnormal result on a Papanicolaou test. After admitting, he read his chart while the nurse was out of the room, the client asks what dysplasia means. Which definition should the nurse provide? a. Presence of completely undifferentiated tumor cells that don't resemble cells of the tissues of their origin b. Increase in the number of normal cells in a normal arrangement in a tissue or an organ c. Replacement of one type of fully differentiated cell by another in tissues where the second type normally isn't found d. Alteration in the size, shape, and organization of differentiated cells

Answer D. Dysplasia refers to an alteration in the size, shape, and organization of differentiated cells. The presence of completely undifferentiated tumor cells that don't resemble cells of the tissues of their origin is called anaplasia. An increase in the number of normal cells in a normal arrangement in a tissue or an organ is called hyperplasia. Replacement of one type of fully differentiated cell by another in tissues where the second type normally isn't found is called metaplasia.

A female client is receiving chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. Which assessment finding indicates a fluid and electrolyte imbalance induced by chemotherapy? a. Urine output of 400 ml in 8 hours b. Serum potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L c. Blood pressure of 120/64 to 130/72 mm Hg d. Dry oral mucous membranes and cracked lips

Answer D. Chemotherapy commonly causes nausea and vomiting, which may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Signs of fluid loss include dry oral mucous membranes, cracked lips, decreased urine output (less than 40 ml/hour), abnormally low blood pressure, and a serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L.

A male client undergoes a laryngectomy to treat laryngeal cancer. When teaching the client how to care for the neck stoma, the nurse should include which instruction? a. "Keep the stoma uncovered." b. "Keep the stoma dry." c. "Have a family member perform stoma care initially until you get used to the procedure." d. "Keep the stoma moist."

Answer D. The nurse should instruct the client to keep the stoma moist, such as by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the edges, because a dry stoma may become irritated. The nurse should recommend placing a stoma bib over the stoma to filter and warm air before it enters the stoma. The client should begin performing stoma care without assistance as soon as possible to gain independence in self-care activities.

A nurse is teaching a client who is receiving radiation treatment for left lower lobe lung cancer. Which client statement indicates a need for further treatment? 1. "I'll use hats to protect my head from the sun when my hair falls out" 2. "If I get nauseous, I'll try to eat several small, bland meals each day" 3. "I'll allow myself plenty of time to rest between activities" 4. "Most of the adverse effects should go away shortly after my last radiation treatment"

Answer: 1-"I'll use hats to protect my head from the sun when my hair falls out" Rational: The client requires additional teaching if he mentions that he will lose the hair on his head a result of radiation therapy. Alopecia as an acute, localized adverse effect of radiation. The treatment area for this client's cancer will be localized to the lower aspects of his lungs, not his head. Nausea and fatigue are expected generalized adverse effects of radiation therapy. Most adverse effects of radiation are temporary and will stop when treatment is complete.

A 36-year-old man with lymphoma presents with signs of impending septic shock 9 days after chemotherapy. The nurse would expect which of the following to be present? a) low-grade fever, chills, tachycardia b) Elevated temperature, oliguria, hypotension c) Flushing, decreased oxygen saturation, mild hypotension d) High-grade fever, normal blood pressure, increased respirations

Answer: A. Low-grade fever, chills, tachycardia Nine days after chemotherapy, one would expect the client to be immunocompromised. The clinical signs of shock reflect changes in cardiac function, vascular resistance, cellular metabolism, and capillary permeability. Low-grade fever, tachycardia, and flushing may be early signs of shock.

The nurse is visiting a patient receiving radiation therapy. Which of the following statements is incorrect and requires additional teaching? A: "I may lose the ability to sweat" B: "To keep the radiation from burning my skin, I will use lotion" C: "I need to check my mouth frequently for signs of irritation" D: "During radiation therapy, I may lose some of my hair and foods may not taste right"

Answer: B: "To keep the radiation from burning my skin, I will use lotion" Rationale: Skin products must be prescribed by the physician because they can irritate the skin

The nurse is making a home visit to a client receiving external radiation therapy on an outpatient basis. Further teaching is necessary when the nurse observes the client doing which of the following? A: Washing radiation site with plain water and patting skin dry B: Protecting skin with soft, loose clothing C: Applying lotion to irritated skin D: Inspecting skin for damage

Answer: C: Applying lotion to irritated skin Rationale: Lotion, deodorant, and powders should not be applied to the radiation site during the treatment period to avoid further irritation to the skin.

Which of the following nursing diagnoses is most appropriate for a patient experiencing myelosuppression secondary to chemotherapy for cancer treatment? A. Acute pain B. Hypothermia C. Powerlessness D.Risk for infection

Answer: D - Risk for infection

A 22 year old client asks about the purpose of the HPV vaccine (Gardasil). What is an appropriate nursing explanation? A. It is to lower the risk of contracting melanoma. B. It is a vaccine that prevents infection by all strains of HPV. C. The vaccine treats infections of HPV. D. The vaccine can lower the risk of cervical cancer.

Answer: D. The vaccine can lower the risk of cervical cancer. Rationale: The HPV vaccine can prevent infection by certain strains of HPV, not all strains. It is useful in that it can lower the risk of developing cervical cancer. It does not treat preexisting infection, but can prevent infection by other types.

The nursing instructor explains the difference between normal cells and benign tumor cells. What information does the instructor provide about these cells? a. Benign tumors grow through invasion of other tissue. b. Benign tumors have lost their cellular regulation from contact inhibition. c. Growing in the wrong place or time is typical of benign tumors. d. The loss of characteristics of the parent cells is called anaplasia.

C ~ Benign tumors are basically normal cells growing in the wrong place or at the wrong time. Benign cells grow through hyperplasia, not invasion. Benign tumor cells retain contact inhibition. Anaplasia is a characteristic of cancer cells.

A student nurse asks the nursing instructor what apoptosis means. What response by the instructor is best? a. Growth by cells enlarging b. Having the normal number of chromosomes c. Inhibition of cell growth d. Programmed cell death

D ~ Apoptosis is programmed cell death. With this characteristic, organs and tissues function with cells that are at their peak of performance. Growth by cells enlarging is hyperplasia. Having the normal number of chromosomes is euploidy. Inhibition of cell growth is contact inhibition.

A client is in the oncology clinic for a first visit since being diagnosed with cancer. The nurse reads in the clients chart that the cancer classification is TISN0M0. What does the nurse conclude about this clients cancer? a. The primary site of the cancer cannot be determined. b. Regional lymph nodes could not be assessed. c. There are multiple lymph nodes involved already. d. There are no distant metastases noted in the report.

D ~ TIS stands for carcinoma in situ; N0 stands for no regional lymph node metastasis; and M0 stands for no distant metastasis.