Question 1

A patient whose cancer has been staged at T4 N2 M1 has been assigned for care.What is the best interpretation of this staging information in planning care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

T4 N2 M1 staging indicates that the primary tumor is quite large and has extended to involve lymph glands and distant areas. This is a late stage of cancer, and the prognosis may not be very good. Gentle touch and therapeutic listening will be helpful in providing emotional support to the patient as they undergo treatment. The focus of treatment will likely be on palliative care and symptom management rather than cure.

Question 2

Which symptom reported by a patient taking doxorubicin (Adriamycin)should be considered a priority for intervention?

Accepted Answer

Rapid heartbeat could indicate cardiac toxicity, which is a serious side effect of doxorubicin. Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further damage to the heart muscle. Nausea, visual disturbances, headache, and dizziness are common side effects of doxorubicin but are not as urgent as rapid heartbeat in terms of intervention.

Question 3

Which cytologic test, usually performed in outpatient settings, suggests the probability of a need for further testing for cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

The Papanicolaou (Pap) test is a cytologic test that is usually performed in outpatient settings and can suggest the probability of a need for further testing for cancer cells. This test is commonly used to detect cervical cancer but can also detect cancer in other parts of the reproductive system. Chest radiography is a radiologic test used to visualize the chest and its contents but is not a cytologic test. The Koch test and Tine test are both skin tests used to diagnose tuberculosis and a fungal infection, respectively, and are not cytologic tests for cancer.

Question 4

A diagnosis of breast cancer is first made at stage T1 N0 M0.Which patient problem would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

At stage T1 N0 M0, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, but the patient may still experience anxiety about the outcome of treatments. This is a common patient problem in breast cancer and can be addressed with supportive counseling and education about treatment options and potential outcomes. The other options may be appropriate at different stages of breast cancer or for different patient situations, but are not the best choice for this particular scenario.

Question 5

A home health nurse is compiling a patient profile on a 23-year-old obese woman who smokes one-half pack of cigarettes a day and drinks 1 beer a week.She works as a cook in a long-term care facility.She has two children and eats a diet high in fats.She exercises 30 minutes a day.Both parents are dead of heart disease.How many risk factors for cancer in this profile should the nurse identify?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should identify three risk factors for cancer in this patient profile: obesity, smoking, and a diet high in fats. The other risk factors mentioned (drinking alcohol, working in a long-term care facility, having children, exercising regularly, and having parents who died of heart disease) are not necessarily linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Question 6

A patient is scheduled for a chemotherapy treatment in approximately 30 minutes.Breakfast trays have arrived and are being served on the unit.What is the nurse's best intervention?

Accepted Answer

The best intervention is to listen to any concerns the patient may express regarding the treatment and offer to hold the tray until after the treatment. It is important to ensure that the patient's nausea and vomiting symptoms are under control before eating to prevent further discomfort during treatment. Offering to call the family or encouraging the patient to drink specific items may not address the patient's immediate needs and concerns. Option A is incorrect as encouraging the patient to eat all his breakfast may not be appropriate if he is experiencing nausea and vomiting. Option D is incorrect as suggesting a strong analgesic for chemotherapy treatment is not appropriate.

Question 7

Which statement best defines concepts to be included in a teaching plan for a patient with cancer?

Accepted Answer

Option A provides a clear and concise definition of cancer, its characteristics, and how it affects the body. It also sets the foundation for discussing the treatment plan and prognosis, making it the best option for a teaching plan. Options B, C, and D may be relevant but do not provide essential information for a patient's understanding and management of their diagnosis.

Question 8

What phase is considered the latent period before the period of rapid growth of tumors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What phase is considered the latent period...

Question 9

What is the cause of cell death when a patient receives radiation as a treatment for cancer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the cause of cell death...

Question 10

What is the most common site of cancer in adult women?

Accepted Answer

Breast cancer is the most common site of cancer in adult women. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, but it is not the most commonly diagnosed cancer. Kidney and uterine cancers are less common in women than breast cancer.

Question 11

Which complaint should a nurse consider a warning sign for cancer?

Accepted Answer

Persistent indigestion associated with difficulty swallowing could be a warning sign for esophageal or stomach cancer. Intense pain in a specific area due to physical activity, short-term diarrhea, and a painful lump that recedes when pushed could have various causes and are not necessarily warnings signs for cancer.

Question 12

A nurse explains that drugs such as cannabinoids or Benadryl are frequently ordered for patients with cancer who are taking chemotherapy.What do these types of drugs accomplish?

Accepted Answer

Cannabinoids and Benadryl are commonly used to control the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, and taste disorders. They do not promote amnesia, maintain fluid retention, or control bouts of diarrhea or constipation.

Question 13

A patient newly diagnosed with cancer says, "I feel like I've lost my future.I feel so much harm has been done to me that I'm overwhelmed." To what type of coping strategies should the nurse recognize this attitude will most likely lead the patient?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement suggests that they may be engaging in avoidant coping strategies, which involves avoiding thinking about the problem or denying the seriousness of the situation. By expressing feelings of being overwhelmed and like they have lost their future, the patient may be avoiding the reality of their diagnosis and the necessary steps for treatment and coping.

Question 14

While bathing a patient with cancer, a nurse assessed several large new bruises on the patient's upper arms and thighs.What is the best understanding of the possible causes and the correct nurse's actions for these findings?

Accepted Answer

The presence of large, new bruises on multiple areas of the body could indicate a bleeding disorder such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The nurse must thoroughly assess and document the size, color, location, and tenderness of the bruises, and report them to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment. Option A is not appropriate as it assumes the cause of the bruises without further assessment. Option C is not appropriate as there is no evidence of fluid overload. Option D assumes the cause of the bruises without further assessment and does not address the need to report and document the findings.

Question 15

Which is true about both malignant tumors and benign tumors?

Accepted Answer

Both malignant and benign tumors may press on nearby surrounding tissues, such as nerves and blood vessels, causing pain. Choice A is incorrect because malignant tumors do not closely resemble cells in the tissue of origin, while benign tumors do. Choice B is incorrect because only malignant tumors travel quickly to invade and destroy other tissues and organs. Choice C is incorrect because only malignant tumors grow and multiply very rapidly, competing for space and nutrients and causing severe pain.

Question 16

A nurse explains that the seven warning signs of cancer written by the American Cancer Society (ACS)can be recalled by the acronym CAUTION.What should the nurse change to point out that the A in the acronym represents?

Accepted Answer

The A in the CAUTION acronym represents a sore that will not heal.

Question 17

What is the most common site of cancer in adult men?

Accepted Answer

According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in adult men, with an estimated 248,530 new cases in 2021. It is followed by lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Colon and pancreatic cancers are also common, but not as prevalent as prostate and lung cancers.

Question 18

A patient has a cancer that has been TNM staged as T3 (1-4, size of primary tumor), N2 (0-3, degree of spread to regional lymph nodes), and M1 (0-1, presence of metastasis).He has an as needed order of 4 mg of morphine intramuscularly every 4 hours.He requests another pain injection approximately 3.5 hours after the last one.What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate nursing action is to give the morphine and evaluate the results of pain relief. This patient has cancer that has been staged as T3N2M1, which is indicative of advanced cancer with spread. Pain relief in these patients is a priority and the patient's request for additional pain medication indicates the need for further pain management. It is important for the nurse to give the medication and evaluate the effectiveness of pain relief. The nurse should also arrange for the physician to evaluate for breakthrough pain. Option A is not appropriate as the concern for addiction is not relevant in this situation. Option B is not appropriate as delaying pain relief is not in the best interest of the patient. Option D is not appropriate as it is not the role of the family to help the patient accept waiting longer for pain relief.

Question 19

What manifestations might be assessed by a nurse when a patient is diagnosed with the oncologic emergency hypercalcemia?

Accepted Answer

Hypercalcemia can cause fatigue, confusion, and weakness due to the effect of elevated calcium levels on the nervous system. Hypertension and bradycardia are not typically associated with hypercalcemia. The laboratory test results listed are normal values and do not indicate hypercalcemia. Urine output less than 30 mL/hr may be seen in some cases of hypercalcemia, but it is not a specific manifestation.

Question 20

A female college student has had a melanoma of the forehead surgically removed and given a course of chemotherapy.Which comment demonstrates an understanding of the treatments and prognosis?

Accepted Answer

The comment shows that the patient is aware of the effects of chemotherapy on hair and is looking for a solution to cover up the hair loss. This suggests an understanding of the treatment and its side effects. The other comments do not demonstrate an understanding of the situation or are irrelevant to the treatment/prognosis.

Quiz 7: The Patient With Cancer