Cancer Week 2

The client is diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Which of the following features of a benign tumor is of most concern to the nurse?

Tumor pressure against normal tissues

While completing an admission assessment, the client reports a family history of ovarian cancer among a maternal grandmother, aunt, and sister. The nurse knows that these cancers are most likely associated with what etiology?

Inherited gene mutation

The client is receiving a vesicant antineoplastic for the treatment of cancer. Which assessment finding would require the nurse to take immediate action?

extravasation

A cancer client makes the following statement to the nurse, "I guess I will tell my doctor to forego the chemotherapy. I do not want to be throwing up all the time. I would rather die." Which of the following facts supports the use of chemotherapy for this client?

Chemotherapy treatment can be adjusted to optimize effects while limiting adverse effects.

The client has finished the first round of chemotherapy. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for further teaching by the nurse?

"I can continue taking my vitamins and herbs because they make me feel better."

A client is recovering from a craniotomy with tumor debulking. Which comment by the client indicates to the nurse a correct understanding of what the surgery entailed?

"I guess the doctor could not remove the entire tumor."

The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

"I hope they find a bone marrow donor who matches."

An elderly client has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer and has a poor prognosis of survival. The family asks the nurse for advice on whether to tell the client of the diagnosis or to keep it quiet. Which is the best response from the nurse?

"In my experience, clients who know are more likely to be involved with their plan of care."

The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for chemotherapy. Which is the best statement the nurse can make about the client experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia?

"The hair loss is usually temporary."

Following surgery for adenocarcinoma, the client learns the tumor stage is T3, N1, and M0. What treatment mode will the nurse anticipate?

Adjuvant therapy is likely.

Which of the following advice does the nurse offer clients who are undergoing unsealed radiation therapy to reduce exposure?

Avoid kissing and sexual contact.

Based on the understanding of the effects of chemotherapy, the nurse would anticipate which of the following clinical findings in a client 2 weeks posttherapy?

Ease of bruising

The nurse is providing an educational presentation on dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of cancer. Which of the following food selections would demonstrate a good understanding of the information provided in the presentation? Select all that apply.

Egg white omelet with spinach and mushrooms Steamed broccoli and carrots Turkey breast on whole wheat bread

The nurse understands that the client should be vaccinated with human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine per the health care provider's orders. What is this vaccine for?

Helps prevent cervical cancer

The nurse performs a breast examination on a client and finds a firm, nonmoveable lump in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast that the client reports was not there 3 weeks ago. What does this finding suggest?

Malignant tumor

Cancer has many characteristics. What is one of the most discouraging characteristics of cancer?

Metastasis

The nurse working on a bone marrow unit knows that it is a priority to monitor which of the following in a client who has just undergone a stem cell transplant?

Monitor the client closely to prevent infection.

When the client complains of increased fatigue following radiotherapy, the nurse knows this is most likely to be related to which factor?

Radiation can result in myelosuppression.

The nurse recognizes which of the following alternative therapies as appropriate in the care of cancer clients? Select all that apply.

Reminiscing Hot and cold therapy

Chemotherapy has been used for the past 3 months to treat a client with pancreatic cancer. The CA 19-9 levels are rising. Which explanation would the nurse attribute as the most likely cause?

The cancer is growing despite the chemotherapy treatment.

A bowel resection is scheduled for a client with the diagnosis of colon cancer with metastasis to the liver and bone. Which statement by the nurse best explains the purpose of the surgery?

"Tumor removal will promote comfort."

The client is scheduled for a breast lump excision and sentinel node biopsy. What should the nurse know in planning care for the client with a negative biopsy report?

A wide excision of lump will be performed.

Which of the following can be considered carcinogens?

Dietary substances

While obtaining a health history, a client tells the nurse that her mother, grandmother, and sister died of cancer. The client wants to know what she can do to keep from getting cancer. What would be the nurse's best response?

"You can't prevent cancer, but you can have your blood analyzed for tumor markers to see what your risk level is."

When caring for an older client who is receiving external beam radiation, which is the key point for the nurse to incorporate into the plan of care?

Inspect the skin frequently.

The nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of colon cancer with metastasis to the liver. Which statement made by the client indicates an understanding of the diagnosis?

"My cancer has now spread to my liver."

A client with a 4-cm breast mass is scheduled for biopsy with frozen section followed by lumpectomy and possible mastectomy. The client asks the nurse, "Why can't the doctor tell me specifically whether I will need to have my entire breast removed"? Which is the best response from the nurse?

"The frozen section will determine presence of cancer and type of surgery required."

A client is scheduled for a nerve-sparing prostatectomy. The emotional spouse confides in the nurse that the client will not talk about the cancer and/or upcoming surgery. Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse choose as primary diagnosis for this client?

fear

The nurse is caring for a thyroid cancer client following oral radioactive iodine treatment. Which teaching point is most important?

Flush the toilet twice after every use.

A client with advanced cancer makes the following comment to the nurse, "Why are you bathing me? I am going to die no matter what." What is the most appropriate response of the nurse?

"Would you like to talk about what you are feeling?"

The nurse is providing client teaching for a client undergoing chemotherapy. What dietary modifications should the nurse advise?

Avoid spicy and fatty foods.

A client diagnosed with cancer has his tumor staged and graded based on what factors?

How they tend to grow and the cell type

When providing care for a client with stage IV cancer, the nurse knows to include which intervention in the plan of care?

Incorporating touching and listening

Which of the following laboratory findings, would be identified by the nurse as the greatest risk for a cancer client scheduled for implantable port?

Platelet count 98,000/mm3

The nurse knows that interferon agents are used in association with chemotherapy to produce which effects in the client?

Shorten the period of neutropenia

The public health nurse is giving a talk on the warning signals of cancer to a local community group. Which of the following are the warning signals of cancer? Select all that apply.

Sores that don't heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Persistent indigestion

The nurse is invited to present a teaching program to parents of school-aged children. Which topic would be of greatest value for decreasing cancer risks?

Sun safety and use of sunscreen

A newly diagnosed cancer client is crying and states the following to the nurse, "I promised God that I will be a better person if I can just get better." What is the appropriate assessment of this comment by the nurse?

The cancer is viewed as a punishment from past actions.

Which nursing interventions are most important when implementing care for a client receiving temporary internal sealed radiation therapy? Select all that apply.

Time, distance, and shielding. Count wires, threads, or needles every shift. Avoid standing in direct path of implants.