Cell Regulation

Which of the following diagnostic tests would be utilized if a malignancy was suspected?

Biopsy

When explaining the long-term toxic effects of cancer treatments on the immune system, what should the nurse tell the client?

The use of radiation and combination chemotherapy can result in more frequent and more severe immune system impairment.

A client is diagnosed with esophageal cancer and presents with difficulty swallowing. Which intervention should receive the highest priority?

establishing aspiration precautions

Which statement by a client undergoing external radiation therapy indicates the need for further teaching?

"I'm worried I'll expose my family members to radiation."

A woman with a history of a left radical mastectomy is being admitted for abdominal surgery. The woman has a swollen left arm. What should the nurse do to protect the client's swollen arm?

Take the blood pressure only in the unaffected arm.

A client received chemotherapy 24 hours ago. Which precautions are necessary when caring for the client?

Wear personal protective equipment when handling blood, body fluids, and feces.

The nurse is conducting a health history for a client at risk for cancer. Which lifestyle factor is considered a risk for colorectal cancer?

a high-fat, low-fiber diet

A staff nurse on the oncology unit must teach the new unit assistant about infection-control practices. The nurse should explain that which measure is most important for preventing the spread of infection?

performing proper hand hygiene

A client has been receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment. The client is competent and has been actively involved in decisions regarding care; however, the client has now decided to refuse treatment. What should the nurse do when the client refuses the next dose of chemotherapy?

Document the client's choice and offer to discuss feelings about the chemotherapy.

A client is to have radiation therapy following a mastectomy. What should the nurse tell the client to expect as a normal local tissue response to radiation?

redness of the surface tissue.

After receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer, a client's platelet count falls to 98,000/µl. What term should the nurse use to describe this low platelet count?

thrombocytopenia

What education should the nurse give to a male client older than age 50 to help ensure early identification of prostate cancer?

Have a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test done yearly.

A client who is receiving chemotherapy expresses concern at the thought of losing hair on the head. The nurse's best response is:

"Your hair loss will be temporary. Would you like to tell me about your concerns?"

A client is receiving chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. Which assessment finding indicates a chemotherapy-induced complication?

Serum potassium level of [2.6 mEq/L (2.6 mmol/L)}

A client undergoes a biopsy of a suspicious lesion. The biopsy report classifies the lesion according to the TNM staging system as follows: TIS, N0, M0. What does this classification mean?

carcinoma in situ, no abnormal regional lymph nodes, and no evidence of distant metastasis

Which outcome is expected of a nursing referral to a cancer support group? The client can:

cope with cancer.

A nurse is administering daunorubicin through a peripheral I.V. line when the client complains of burning at the insertion site. The nurse notes no blood return from the catheter and redness at the I.V. site. The client is most likely experiencing which complication?

extravasation

A toddler receiving chemotherapy after surgery for a Wilms' tumor has developed neutropenia. The parent is trying to encourage the child to eat by bringing extra foods to the room. Which food would the nurse discourage for this child?

fresh strawberries

A nurse 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 (Canadian Cancer Society) guidelines, the nurse should recommend that the women

have a mammogram annually.

A client with cancer is uncertain about how to cope with all the issues that will arise. The nurse can best support the coping behaviors of a client with cancer by:

helping the client identify available resources.

At a public health fair, a nurse teaches a group of women about breast cancer awareness. Possible signs of breast cancer include:

nipple discharge and a breast nodule.

A nurse is interviewing a client about their past medical history. Which preexisting condition may lead the nurse to suspect that a client has colorectal cancer?

polyps

A client has been receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer. Which assessment finding suggests that the client has developed stomatitis?

red, open sores on the oral mucosa

A client undergoing chemotherapy has a white blood cell count of 2,300/mm3 (2.3 X 109/L); hemoglobin of 9.8 g/dL (98 g/L); platelet count of 80,000/mm3 (80 X 109/L); and potassium of 3.8. Which finding should take priority?

temperature 101° F (38.3° C).

Testicular cancer risk is highest for adolescents and men younger than age 35. To specifically address testicular cancer risk, a nurse should modify client teaching for male clients to include

testicular self-examination.

A client receiving radiation therapy for thyroid cancer reports mouth and throat pain. While inspecting the mouth and throat, the nurse notices white patches and ulcerations in the oral mucosa. The nurse notifies the radiation oncologist, and expects which intervention?

to administer an antifungal agent

A client receiving chemotherapy is nauseated and has lost 15 pounds (6.8 kg) in one month. Which nutritional instruction would the nurse include in the plan of care?

Eat frequent but small meals.

Which nursing intervention is the highest priority during the first 24 hours postoperatively for the client who had a total laryngectomy due to cancer of the larynx?

Keep airway open.

The nurse is developing a care plan for a client with cancer receiving hospice home care. Which would be the most appropriate action for managing the client's chronic pain?

Administer analgesics regularly and additionally as needed for break-through pain.

When planning a teaching session, the nurse should include information about which risk factor for the development of laryngeal cancer?

alcohol and tobacco use

A client receiving external radiation to the left thorax to treat lung cancer has a nursing diagnosis of Risk for impaired skin integrity. Which intervention should be part of this client's care plan?

avoiding using deodorant soap on the irradiated areas

After a gastric cancer resection, a client is scheduled to undergo radiation therapy. What is the most important information the nurse should include in the discharge teaching plan?

how to maintain adequate nutrition

A 45-year-old single mother of three teenaged boys has metastatic breast cancer. Her parents live 750 miles (1,200 km) away and have only been able to visit twice since her initial diagnosis 14 months ago. The progression of her disease has forced the client to consider high-dose chemotherapy. She is concerned about her children's welfare during the treatment. When assessing the client's present support systems, the nurse will be most concerned about which potential problem?

support systems and coping strategies.

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving chemotherapy and has a platelet count of 30,000/mm3. Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional teaching?

"I floss my teeth every morning."

When preparing to administer a chemotherapeutic agent to a client, what should the nurse do?

Use gloves and disposable long-sleeved gowns when handling agents.

A client is ordered a dose of epoetin alfa to treat anemia related to chemotherapy. The recommended dose is 150 units/kg. The client weighs 60 kg. The vial is labeled 10,000 units/ml. How many milliliters of epoetin alfa would the nurse administer? Record your answer using one decimal place.

0.9

A nurse is conducting a cancer risk screening program. Which client is at greatest risk for skin cancer?

60-year-old mountain biker

The nurse is teaching the client who is receiving chemotherapy and the family how to manage possible nausea and vomiting at home. What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Eating frequent, small meals.

A client becomes increasingly irritable after being diagnosed with cancer. The client is rude to visitors and pushes nurses away when they attempt to give medications and treatments. What should the nurse do when the client has a hostile outburst?

Encourage the client to discuss immediate concerns and feelings.

A client with ovarian cancer asks the nurse, "What is the cause of this cancer?" Which is the most accurate response by the nurse?

The risk of developing ovarian cancer is related to environmental, endocrine, and genetic factors.

The family of an older adult with terminal cancer asks about having hospice services. What should the nurse tell the family?

focuses on supportive care for the client and family.

A client is undergoing a left modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. Postoperatively, blood pressure should be obtained from the right arm, and the client's left arm and hand should be elevated as much as possible to prevent:

lymphedema

A client fears chemotherapy because of the side effects. What is the nurse's best response to the client's concerns?

"Each person responds differently to chemotherapy treatments. We'll monitor your responses closely."

The nurse plans to teach a client who is receiving radiation therapy how to care for the skin at the radiation site. What should the nurse tell the client?

"Keep the area covered when you go outdoors."

Which factor places a client at greatest risk for skin cancer?

Fair skin and history of chronic sun exposure

A client is to have radiation therapy after a modified radical mastectomy. What instructions should the nurse teach the client about caring for the skin at the site of the radiation therapy?

Wash the area with water.

What is an instruction the nurse can give to help people prevent lung cancer?

Instruct people about techniques for smoking cessation.

A cancer survivor feels guilty when attending a cancer support group meeting. The nurse can help the client manage feelings of guilt by giving the client which information?

This is a normal reaction when surviving a life-threatening experience.

A client receiving radiation therapy has fatigue. What should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

conserve energy by prioritizing activities

After being seen in the oncology clinic, a client with severe bone marrow suppression is admitted to the hospital. The client's cancer therapy consisted of radiation and chemotherapy. When developing the care plan for this client, the nurse prioritizes which nursing intervention?

monitoring temperature and blood cell count