Question 1

A 55-year-old female client has developed lymphedema post-mastectomy. What is the common method used to promote lymphatic drainage and prevent edema in all clients with lymphedema?

Accepted Answer

Elevating the affected part of the body is the common method used to promote lymphatic drainage and prevent edema in clients with lymphedema. This helps to increase the flow of lymphatic fluid towards the trunk of the body, where it can be processed by the lymphatic system. Reducing fluid intake, avoiding exercise on the affected part, or decreasing sodium and calcium intake may not be effective for promoting lymphatic drainage and preventing edema in clients with lymphedema.

Question 2

A client has just been admitted to your unit with a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. When doing the initial assessment, what pertinent questions should the nurse ask the client to help determine the correct nursing diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hodgkin's disease is known for causing fever, chills, and night sweats, so it is important to ask about these symptoms in order to assess the client's overall condition and determine nursing diagnoses such as Risk for Infection or Imbalanced Nutrition. The other options (B, C, D) are not directly related to Hodgkin's disease and would not be as helpful in determining nursing diagnoses for this client.

Question 3

An 18-year-old diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease asks you what Hodgkin's disease is. What would be your best response?

Accepted Answer

Hodgkin's disease is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body's immune system. It causes the lymphoid tissue, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow, to grow and multiply abnormally. If left untreated, it can invade other tissues and organs in the body.

Question 4

A 24-year-old female client has been diagnosed with primary lymphedema. The client asks the nurse what causes lymphedema. What would be the nurses' best response?

Accepted Answer

Primary lymphedema is usually a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth and often due to developmental abnormalities of the lymphatic system.

Question 5

A young male client is diagnosed with lymphosarcoma. The client is confined to bed for an extended period of time. The nurse needs to help the client perform the activities related to self-care. What strategies may the nurse use to help the client perform the simple activities of daily life?

Accepted Answer

Dividing the care into manageable amounts and prioritizing the activities is the best strategy to help the client perform the simple activities of daily life. This approach helps prevent overwhelming the client and allows them to focus on completing important tasks first. Encouraging the client to change bed sheets in case of night sweats may not be feasible if the client is too weak or fatigued. Committing to an early discharge may create false expectations and unrealistic goals. Providing clear verbal instructions is important but may not be sufficient for someone who may have limited physical abilities.

Question 6

A male college student comes to the walk-in clinic complaining of extreme fatigue, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes that are tender. The student has been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis affecting the tonsils. The student is concerned about spreading the disease. What measures should the nurse suggest to prevent the spread of mononucleosis?

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis is a viral infection that spreads through saliva, so the most important measure to prevent its spread is to avoid sharing food and drinks, as well as smoking or using vaping devices with others. Refraining from taking street drugs or using cotton gloves, and increasing the intake of calcium and potassium in the diet are not measures that are relevant to preventing the spread of mononucleosis.

Question 7

A client with lymphadenitis has developed persistent swelling of the affected area. What would be important information for you to teach this client?

Accepted Answer

Applying an elastic sleeve or stocking can help manage swelling by promoting lymphatic drainage and reducing fluid accumulation in the affected area.

Question 8

Your client is receiving chemotherapy for a diagnosis of lymphosarcoma. The client experiences nausea. What measures should the nurse suggest to help the client reduce the feeling of nausea?

Accepted Answer

Offering clear liquids such as carbonated beverages, water, and ice pops can help reduce nausea in clients receiving chemotherapy. Administering immunosuppressive drugs, applying ice to the skin, and advising bed rest are not effective measures for reducing nausea in this situation.

Question 9

You are teaching a pathophysiology course for pre-nursing students. You are teaching about malignancies. What is a common form of lymphoma you would list for the students?

Accepted Answer

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a common form of lymphoma that affects the lymphatic system and can spread to other parts of the body. It is characterized by the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Hodgkin's lymphoma is another form of lymphoma, but it is less common than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Therefore, the correct answer is C - Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The other answer choices (A, B, and D) are not accurate names for types of lymphoma.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a client who is suspected of having Hodgkin's disease. Diagnostic laboratory tests have been drawn. You would know that the malignant cells diagnostic of Hodgkin's disease are what?

Accepted Answer

The malignant cells diagnostic of Hodgkin's disease are Reed-Sternberg cells.

Question 11

An 18-year-old male has been admitted to your unit for Hodgkin's disease. The client asks you what treatment they are going to have. What would be your best response?

Accepted Answer

The standard treatment for Hodgkin's disease typically involves a combination of localized radiation to the affected lymph nodes and chemotherapy. This approach helps to kill cancer cells in both the lymph nodes and any that may have spread elsewhere in the body. Generalized radiation and chemotherapy may be used in advanced stages of the disease, but localized treatments are usually preferred for earlier stages.

Question 12

A client undergoing care for Hodgkin's disease has developed pruritus. What interventions should a nurse perform to ensure the client's skin will remain intact throughout the care?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client undergoing care for Hodgkin's disease...

Question 13

A 16-year-old female client is diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis. The client's mother asks you what the client can do to help herself get better. What would be your best advice?

Accepted Answer

Rest is crucial for recovery from infectious mononucleosis, as it helps the body fight the infection and recover more effectively.

Question 14

A young client has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. The client asks you what a lymphoma is. What would be your best answer?

Accepted Answer

Lymphoma is a group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system, which is a part of the immune system responsible for fighting infections and diseases. It involves the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the lymph nodes or other lymphatic tissues.

Question 15

You are caring for a 72-year-old client with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The client is trying to decide what treatment they are willing to accept. What is an important nursing function when caring for an older client with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Accepted Answer

One important nursing function when caring for an older client with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is to assist in planning for end-of-life concerns. This involves discussing the client's wishes and goals for their care, as well as providing support and resources for palliative and hospice care if needed. It is important to address these concerns early in the treatment process, so that the client feels informed and supported in making their treatment decisions. Clients with advanced cancer may also benefit from resources such as counseling or spiritual guidance to help them cope with the emotional and spiritual aspects of their illness. While client teaching on transfusions and the functional status of the renal system may be relevant to the client's treatment plan, these are not as pressing or central to the overall care of an older client with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as planning for end-of-life concerns. Assisting in planning for cardiopulmonary resuscitation may also be relevant in certain situations, but it is not as central or pressing a concern as end-of-life planning.

Question 16

You are caring for a client with Hodgkin's disease who has developed respiratory distress. What measures should be taken by the nurse to help the client get relief?

Accepted Answer

Placing the client in a high Fowler's position helps to improve lung expansion and ease breathing, which is crucial in managing respiratory distress.

Question 17

The Family Nurse Practitioner is performing a physical assessment on a client with a suspected lymphatic disorder. What would be theNurse Practitioner's primary assessment for all clients with lymphatic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Enlargement of the lymph glands is the primary assessment for clients with lymphatic disorders. Other symptoms may also be present, but the enlargement of the lymph glands is the hallmark symptom of lymphatic disorders. Fever and sore throat may be present in some cases, but they are not the primary assessment. Painful joints may be present in some types of lymphatic disorders, but it is not the primary assessment. Signs of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia may be present in some types of lymphatic disorders, but they are not the primary assessment.

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis who is having trouble eating. What would the nurse advise this client to improve their oral intake?

Accepted Answer

Eating warm food and drinking warm liquids may exacerbate the client's sore throat and make it more difficult to swallow. Avoiding spicy foods is also recommended to prevent further irritation to the throat. Therefore, the nurse should advise the client to eat soft bland foods (such as mashed potatoes or oatmeal) and drink cool liquids (such as water or iced tea) to improve their oral intake.

Question 19

The Epstein-Barr virus appears to play a role in the cause of Hodgkin's disease. It seems to cause mutations in some but not all lymphocytes, creating malignant cells known as Reed-Sternberg cells. The virus is also believed to what?

Accepted Answer

The Epstein-Barr virus is believed to inactivate the immune system's ability to suppress tumor growth, which can contribute to the development of Hodgkin's disease.

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a client with Hodgkin's disease who has developed anemia. What would you expect would be ordered for this client?

Accepted Answer

Anemia is a common complication of Hodgkin's disease and can be treated with transfusions to increase the client's red blood cell count. Lower doses of radiation or a break in chemotherapy may be ordered to manage other side effects, but they would not directly address the anemia. Increased rest and fluid may be encouraged as part of supportive care, but they would not treat the underlying anemia.

Quiz 32: Caring for Clients With Disorders of the Lymphatic System