Question 1

A 20-year-old college student is diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus. The student has a history of smoking and alcohol use and works part-time as a manual laborer for a floor refinishing company. Which factors increase the student's risk of developing cancer?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

All of the given factors increase the risk of developing cancer. Alcohol use and smoking are both known to cause cancer, occupation as a manual laborer can expose the student to carcinogenic substances, and having Epstein-Barr virus is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Age is not relevant to the increased cancer risk in this case.

Question 2

A patient diagnosed with cancer tells the nurse that he does not want to experience any more pain. What information should the nurse consider when formulating a response?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A,B

Question 3

The patient undergoing radiation treatment has developed dry desquamation of the skin over the treatment area. How should the nurse care for this damaged skin?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Dry desquamation of the skin from radiation treatment requires gentle care to avoid further irritation or damage. Shaving the area (A) can cause microabrasions and increase the risk of infection. Taping anything over the area (B) can lead to further irritation from the adhesive and is not recommended for dry desquamation, which typically does not involve significant drainage. Exposing the area to sunlight (C) can exacerbate skin damage and should be avoided. Applying a hydrophilic moisturizing lotion (D) can help soothe and hydrate the skin, promoting healing. Washing the area with lukewarm water (E) is gentle and helps avoid further irritation that hot or cold water might cause.

Question 4

A patient shows the nurse a new sore on the forearm that has been increasing in size and will not heal. The nurse knows that which sign could also point to a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetry of a lesion is a characteristic feature of malignant neoplasms, as opposed to benign lesions that tend to have a more regular shape. The other options (A, C, and D) are not conclusive signs of malignancy and can occur in both benign and malignant lesions.

Question 5

After assessing several patients in the clinic, the nurse would be most concerned about which patient's risk of developing cancer?

Accepted Answer

The patient in Option A has multiple risk factors for cancer including older age, loss of spouse (potentially leading to stress and depression), and chronic pain. It is important for healthcare providers to assess and monitor this patient's risk for developing cancer and provide appropriate screenings and interventions.

Question 6

A patient tells the nurse that she has a benign tumor that has spread into her lymph glands and that surgery is planned. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should clarify what the patient's doctor told her about the tumor in order to gain more information before offering any further responses or advice.

Question 7

A patient's carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was initially16 ng/mL. The current level is 6 ng/mL. How would the nurse evaluate this change?

Accepted Answer

The decrease in CEA level from 16 ng/mL to 6 ng/mL indicates a positive response to treatment, suggesting that the patient's cancer treatment is effective. Choice B can be excluded because a more aggressive treatment regimen is not necessarily warranted when CEA levels are decreasing. Choice C can be excluded because a new cancer site would likely result in an increase in CEA level. Choice D can be excluded because a CEA level of 6 ng/mL does not necessarily indicate that the cancer is gone.

Question 8

A patient is diagnosed with metaplasia of esophageal tissue. The nurse understands that this patient's first course of treatment will likely include which activity?

Accepted Answer

Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type (in this case, esophageal tissue) is replaced by another adult cell type. It is often caused by chronic irritation or inflammation. Therefore, the first course of treatment for metaplasia would likely involve identifying and removing the irritant to prevent further damage and allow for potential reversal of the metaplastic changes. Surgical removal of the involved tissue, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy would not be appropriate as initial treatments for metaplasia.

Question 9

A patient's gynecologic examination reveals dysplasic changes of the cervix. Which historical information would the nurse interpret as indicating an increased risk that these changes are related to cervical cancer?

Accepted Answer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known risk factor for cervical cancer and its precursors, including dysplasia. If the patient had been previously treated for HPV, it indicates that they have had an HPV infection and could have a higher risk of cervical cancer.

Question 10

A patient diagnosed with breast cancer is receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Based on anticipated adverse effects or side effects of this medication, which interventions should the nurse perform?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient diagnosed with breast cancer is...

Question 11

A patient diagnosed with cancer is admitted with a weight loss of 25 lbs. over the last month as well as progressive anorexia and muscle wasting. The nurse would plan care around which condition?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the scenario are consistent with anorexia-cachexia syndrome, which is a common finding in cancer patients. This condition is characterized by loss of appetite, weight loss, and muscle wasting, and requires a particular care plan to address these symptoms. Options B, C, and D are not consistent with the symptoms described.

Question 12

Biopsy of a skin lesion reveals anaplastic changes. The nurse would prepare this patient for which intervention?

Accepted Answer

Anaplastic changes in skin cells indicate abnormal and aggressive growth. The most appropriate intervention would be to remove the anaplastic cells to prevent the cells from developing into cancerous cells. Depending on the extent of the anaplastic changes and the location of the lesion, the removal may involve surgery, radiation therapy, or other intervention. Careful monitoring would also be essential to ensure that there is no recurrence of the anaplasia or development of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy would not be a suitable intervention in this scenario. There is no medication that can reverse anaplasia.

Question 13

A patient diagnosed with cancer has been receiving radiation treatments to shrink the tumor. After several weeks, the patient tells the nurse that she has not needed as much pain medication. What should the nurse consider when responding to this report?

Accepted Answer

Radiation treatments are meant to shrink the tumor, which can reduce pressure on adjacent tissues and relieving pain. This is a positive sign that the treatment is working and reducing the patient's discomfort. The other options are not as likely explanations for the patient's decreased pain medication use.

Question 14

Which assessment findings would indicate to the nurse that a patient receiving vincristine is experiencing a toxic reaction?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which assessment findings would indicate to the...

Question 15

A patient has been diagnosed with cancer. Which finding in the patient's social history would the nurse evaluate as contributing to cancer development both in the initiation stage and the promotion stage?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to radiation is a risk factor for cancer development in both the initiation and promotion stages. Vitamin C supplements and drinking one or two glasses of wine per week have not been shown to significantly contribute to cancer development. The age of menarche may affect the risk of certain types of cancer but is not a significant factor in most cases.

Question 16

After learning that he has a benign tumor in his abdomen, a patient is overheard telling his wife that he has cancer. What should the nurse say to the patient and spouse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should correct the patient's misconception about having cancer and provide accurate information regarding the benign tumor. Option A explains the situation in a clear and reassuring manner that covers the patient's concern about cancer recurrence. Option B, C, and D are incorrect because they use the term "cancer," which is not appropriate in this case, and may cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion for the patient and spouse.

Question 17

A patient diagnosed with cancer and scheduled to begin biotherapy asks the nurse how the therapy will treat the cancer. How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Biotherapy, also known as immunotherapy, utilizes the body's immune system to help fight cancer. It can enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, or it may introduce "fake" cancer cells that stimulate the immune system to attack real cancer cells. It does not use radiation, laser, or interrupt blood flow to the tumor.

Question 18

A patient will be receiving busulfan (Myleran) as treatment for leukemia. Which interventions should the nurse include in the patient's plan of care?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Busulfan can cause bone marrow suppression, which increases the risk of infection. The nurse should assess the patient for any signs of infection and take appropriate measures.
B) Busulfan can cause ototoxicity, which can lead to hearing loss. The nurse should monitor the patient's hearing and report any changes.
C) Busulfan can cause an increase in BUN level due to dehydration, not a decrease. The nurse should monitor for an increase in BUN level and take appropriate measures.
D) Busulfan can cause dizziness and confusion, which can increase the risk of falls. The nurse should institute fall precautions to prevent injury to the patient.
E) Reducing the amount of sodium in the patient's diet is not a specific intervention related to busulfan treatment.

Question 19

A patient who was treated for colorectal cancer last year now has a malignant tumor in the lung. The nurse realizes that this patient is most likely experiencing which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a malignant tumor in the lung after treatment for colorectal cancer suggests that the cancer has metastasized, or spread from its original location to a distant site in the body.

Question 20

The nurse is providing care to a patient undergoing brachytherapy. Which actions should the nurse take for personal protection?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is providing care to a...

Quiz 57: Caring for the Patient With Cancer