Chapter 34: Management of Patients With Hematologic Neoplasms
A client with AML has pale mucous membranes and bruises on the legs. What is the primary nursing intervention? Check the client's history. Assess the client's pulse and blood pressure. Assess the client's hemoglobin and platelets. Assess the client's skin.
Correct response: Assess the client's hemoglobin and platelets. Explanation: Clients with AML may develop pallor from anemia and a tendency to bleed because of a low platelet count. Assessing the client's hemoglobin and platelets will help to determine whether this is the cause of the symptoms. This would be the priority above assessing pulses, blood pressure, history, or skin.
The nurse cares for an older adult client with unprovoked back pain and increased serum protein. Which hematologic neoplasm does the nurse suspect the client has? Chronic myeloid leukemia Hodgkin lymphoma Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Multiple myeloma
Correct response: Multiple myeloma Explanation: Any older adult with unprovoked or unexplained back pain and increased protein in the serum should be assessed for multiple myeloma. Bone pain occurs because of bone breakdown and the malignant cells of multiple myeloma increase the serum protein levels.
Which patient assessed by the nurse is most likely to develop myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)? A 24-year-old female taking oral contraceptives A 40-year-old patient with a history of hypertension A 52-year-old patient with acute kidney injury A 72-year-old patient with a history of cancer
Correct response: A 72-year-old patient with a history of cancer Explanation: Primary MDS tends to be a disease of people older than 70 years. Because the initial findings are so subtle, the disease may not be diagnosed until later in the illness trajectory, if at all. Thus, the actual incidence of MDS is not known.
The nurse suspects that a client has multiple myeloma based on the client's major presenting symptom and the analysis of laboratory results. What classic symptom for multiple myeloma does the nurse assess for? Gradual muscle paralysis Bone pain in the back of the ribs Severe thrombocytopenia Debilitating fatigue
Correct response: Bone pain in the back of the ribs Explanation: Although patients can have asymptomatic bone involvement, the most common presenting symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain, usually in the back or ribs. Unlike arthritic pain, the bone pain associated with myeloma increases with movement and decreases with rest; clients may report that they have less pain on awakening but the pain intensity increases during the day.
The nurse is caring for a patient who will begin taking long-term biphosphate therapy. Why is it important for the nurse to encourage the patient to receive a thorough evaluation of dentition, including panoramic dental x-rays? The patient can develop loosening of the teeth. The patient is at risk for tooth decay. The patient can develop osteonecrosis of the jaw. The patient will develop gingival hyperplasia.
Correct response: The patient can develop osteonecrosis of the jaw. Explanation: Osteonecrosis of the jaw is an infrequent but serious complication that can arise in patients treated long-term with bisphosphonates; the mandible or maxilla are affected. Careful assessment for this complication should be conducted and a thorough evaluation of the patient's dentition should be performed prior to initiating bisphosphonate therapy, including panoramic dental x-rays.
A client was admitted to the hospital with a pathologic pelvic fracture. The client informs the nurse that he has been having a strange pain in the pelvic area for a couple of weeks that was getting worse with activity prior to the fracture. What does the nurse suspect may be occurring based on these symptoms? Hemolytic anemia Leukemia Multiple myeloma Polycythemia vera
Correct response: Multiple myeloma Explanation: The first symptom usually is vague pain in the pelvis, spine, or ribs. As the disease progresses, the pain becomes more severe and localized. The pain intensifies with activity and is relieved by rest. When tumors replace bone marrow, pathologic fractures develop. Hemolytic anemia does not result in pathologic fractures nor does polycythemia vera or leukemia.
What assessment finding best indicates that the client has recovered from induction therapy? Neutrophil and platelet counts within normal limits Vital signs within normal ranges No evidence of edema Absence of bone pain
Correct response: Neutrophil and platelet counts within normal limits Explanation: Recovery from induction therapy is indicated when the neutrophil and platelet counts have returned to normal and any infection has resolved. Stable vital signs, lack of edema, and absence of pain are not indicative of recovery from induction therapy.
A nurse cares for an adult client with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Which statements regarding the disease will the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply. "This type of leukemia is rarely aggressive." ''This type of leukemia does not appear to have familial predisposition." "This type of leukemia is rarely seen in certain ethnicities." "This type of leukemia primarily impacts older adults." "This type of leukemia primarily impacts pediatric adults."
Correct response: "This type of leukemia primarily impacts older adults." "This type of leukemia is rarely seen in certain ethnicities." Explanation: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a common malignancy of older adults and primarily impacts older adults and has a strong familial predisposition. This type of leukemia rarely impacts Native Americans and infrequently individuals of Asian descent. While many clients will have a normal life expectancy, others will have a very short life expectancy due to the aggressive nature of the disease.
A client presents with peripheral neuropathy and hypoesthesia of the feet. What is the best nursing intervention? Assess for signs of injury. Encourage ambulation. Elevate the client's legs. Keep the feet cool.
Correct response: Assess for signs of injury. Explanation: A client with hypoesthesia of the feet will have decreased sensation and numbness. The nurse should assess for signs of injury. If the client is injured, he or she will not be able to feel it; this could lead to the development of infection. Ambulation will not help the client, and elevating the legs may make the problem worse, as blood flow to the feet would be decreased. Keeping the feet cold will also decrease blood flow.
A nurse prepares a client for a bone marrow biopsy who is suspected of having acute myeloid leukemia. What results from the bone marrow biopsy does the nurse expect? Excess of immature leukocytes Excess of immature erythrocytes Deficiency of erythrocytes Deficiency of neutrophils
Correct response: Excess of immature leukocytes Explanation: The bone marrow biopsy of a client with acute myeloid leukemia will reveal an excess of immature leukocytes.
The nurse suspects that a client has multiple myeloma based on the client's major presenting symptom and the analysis of laboratory results. What classic symptom for multiple myeloma does the nurse assess for? Severe thrombocytopenia Bone pain in the back of the ribs Debilitating fatigue Gradual muscle paralysis
Correct response: Bone pain in the back of the ribs Explanation: Although patients can have asymptomatic bone involvement, the most common presenting symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain, usually in the back or ribs. Unlike arthritic pain, the bone pain associated with myeloma increases with movement and decreases with rest; clients may report that they have less pain on awakening but the pain intensity increases during the day.
A patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is having hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with radiation therapy. In which complication do the donor's lymphocytes recognize the patient's body as foreign and set up reactions to attack the foreign host? Bone marrow depression Acute respiratory distress syndrome Graft-versus-host disease Remission
Correct response: Graft-versus-host disease Explanation: Patients who undergo HSCT have a significant risk of infection, graft-versus host disease (in which the donor's lymphocytes [graft] recognize the patient's body as "foreign" and set up reactions to attack the foreign host), and other complications.
When assessing a female client with a disorder of the hematopoietic or the lymphatic system, which assessment is most essential? Health history, such as bleeding, fatigue, or fainting Menstrual history Lifestyle assessments, such as exercise routines Age and gender
Correct response: Health history, such as bleeding, fatigue, or fainting Explanation: When assessing a client with a disorder of the hematopoietic or the lymphatic system, it is essential to assess the client's health history. An assessment of drug history is essential because some antibiotics and cancer drugs contribute to hematopoietic dysfunction. Aspirin and anticoagulants may contribute to bleeding and interfere with clot formation. Because industrial materials, environmental toxins, and household products may affect blood-forming organs, the nurse needs to explore exposure to these agents. Age, gender, menstrual history, or lifestyle assessments, such as exercise routines and habits, do not directly affect the hematopoietic or lymphatic system.
A nurse is caring for a client with multiple myeloma. Which laboratory value is the nurse most likely to see? Hypernatremia Hypercalcemia Hyperkalemia Hypermagnesemia
Correct response: Hypercalcemia Explanation: Calcium is released when bone is destroyed, causing hypercalcemia. Multiple myeloma doesn't affect potassium, sodium, or magnesium levels.
A client was admitted to the hospital with a pathologic pelvic fracture. The client informs the nurse that he has been having a strange pain in the pelvic area for a couple of weeks that was getting worse with activity prior to the fracture. What does the nurse suspect may be occurring based on these symptoms? Leukemia Multiple myeloma Polycythemia vera Hemolytic anemia
Correct response: Multiple myeloma Explanation: The first symptom usually is vague pain in the pelvis, spine, or ribs. As the disease progresses, the pain becomes more severe and localized. The pain intensifies with activity and is relieved by rest. When tumors replace bone marrow, pathologic fractures develop. Hemolytic anemia does not result in pathologic fractures nor does polycythemia vera or leukemia.
A client has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse expect to find in a client with multiple myeloma? Decreased calcium level Polycythemia vera Increased urinary protein Decreased serum protein
Correct response: Pathologic fractures Explanation: Osteoclasts are cells that break down and remove bone cells, which results in increased blood calcium and pathologic fractures.
Clients with multiple myeloma have abnormal plasma cells that proliferate in the bone marrow where they release osteoclast-activating factor, resulting in the formation of osteoclasts. What is the most common complication of the pathology resulting from this process? Osteoporosis Increased mobility Pathologic fractures Calcified bones
Correct response: Pathologic fractures Explanation: Osteoclasts are cells that break down and remove bone cells, which results in increased blood calcium and pathologic fractures.
A client with multiple myeloma reports severe paresthesia in the feet. When planning care for the client, which priority nursing diagnosis will the nurse choose? Acute pain Risk for falls Impaired tissue integrity Sensory-perception disturbance
Correct response: Risk for falls Explanation: A client with paresthesia in the feet is at risk for falls due to impaired sensation. Acute pain, impaired tissue integrity, and sensory-perception disturbance are all nursing diagnoses that are appropriate for the client; however, risk for falls is priority.
A nurse is assessing a client with multiple myeloma. Due to this condition, what will this client be at risk for? acute heart failure. hypoxemia. chronic liver failure. pathologic bone fractures. SUBMIT ANSWER
Correct response: pathologic bone fractures. Explanation: Clients with multiple myeloma are at risk for pathologic bone fractures secondary to diffuse osteoporosis and osteolytic lesions. Also, clients are at risk for renal failure secondary to myeloma proteins by causing renal tubular obstruction. Liver failure and heart failure aren't usually sequelae of multiple myeloma. Hypoxemia isn't usually related to multiple myeloma.
A patient with AML is having aggressive chemotherapy to attempt to achieve remission. The patient is aware that hospitalization will be necessary for several weeks. What type of therapy will the nurse explain that the patient will receive? Induction therapy Standard therapy Antimicrobial therapy Supportive therapy
Correct response: Induction therapy Explanation: Despite advances in understanding of the biology of AML, substantive advances in treatment response rates and survival rates have not occurred for decades, with the exception of advances made in treating APL (see later discussion). Even for patients with subtypes that have not benefited from advances in treatment, cure is still possible. The overall objective of treatment is to achieve complete remission, in which there is no evidence of residual leukemia in the bone marrow. Attempts are made to achieve remission by the aggressive administration of chemotherapy, called induction therapy, which usually requires hospitalization for several weeks.
The nurse is caring for a client with multiple myeloma. Why would it be important to assess this client for fractures? Osteopathic tumors destroy bone causing fractures. Osteolytic activating factor weakens bones producing fractures. Osteosarcomas form producing pathologic fractures. Osteoclasts break down bone cells so pathologic fractures occur.
Correct response: Osteoclasts break down bone cells so pathologic fractures occur. Explanation: The abnormal plasma cells proliferate in the bone marrow, where they release osteoclast-activating factor. This, in turn, causes osteoclasts to break down bone cells, resulting in increased blood calcium and pathologic fractures. The plasma cells also form single or multiple osteolytic (bone-destroying) tumors that produce a "punched-out" or "honeycombed" appearance in bones such as the spine, ribs, skull, pelvis, femurs, clavicles, and scapulae. Weakened vertebrae lead to compression of the spine accompanied by significant pain. The other options are distractors for this question.
The hospitalized client is experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding with a platelets at 9,000/mm³. The client is receiving prednisone and azathioprine. What action will the nurse take? Use contact precautions with this client. Perform a neurologic assessment with vital signs. Request a prescription of diphenoxylate and atropine for loose stools. Teach the client to vigorously floss the teeth to prevent infections.
Correct response: Perform a neurologic assessment with vital signs. Explanation: With platelets less than 10,000/mm³ there is a risk for spontaneous bleeding, including within the cranial vault. The nurse performs a neurologic examination to assess for this possibility. Though the client is receiving immunosuppressants, it is not necessary to use contact precautions with this client. Contact precautions are used with clients who have known or suspected transmittable illnesses. Diphenoxylate and atropine can cause constipation and inhibit accurate assessment of the client's gastrointestinal bleeding. If the client strains when having a bowel movement, the client could bleed even more. The client is not to floss vigorously; doing so can cause bleeding.
The nurse recognizes the clinical assessment of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes observing for signs of infection early. What nursing action will most likely help prevent infection? Maintain contact precautions. Encourage increased fluid consumption. Monitor the client's temperature every shift. Practice vigilant handwashing.
Correct response: Practice vigilant handwashing. Explanation: Infection prevention is best handled by vigilant handwashing. Monitoring the client's temperature once a shift is not often enough. The client will take precautions, but precautions are enough to prevent infections. Encouraging increased fluid consumption will not prevent infection.
