Question 1

A patient with prostate cancer asks the nurse the meaning of his high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Which response by the nurse is correct?&#10;A)&#34;PSA is a tumor marker that is elevated in patients with prostate cancer.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;The doctor orders PSA measurements to monitor the level of chemotherapy medication in your blood.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;A PSA test allows the pathologist to view the cancer cells under the microscope to monitor the progression of cancer.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;PSA levels are done routinely to determine whether your prostate cancer has spread to a new site.&#34;

Accepted Answer

PSA is a tumor marker that is elevated in patients with prostate cancer. It can also be elevated in men with other prostate conditions, so additional testing is often needed for a definitive diagnosis.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving radiation therapy for a tumor in the salivary gland. The patient complains of a very dry mouth. Which of the following would best document this finding?

A)"Halitosis noted."
B)"Patient reports xerostomia."
C)"Patient experiencing dysphagia with liquids."
D)"Grade II stomatitis present."

"Patient reports xerostomia."

Accepted Answer

Option A ("Halitosis noted") documents bad breath, which may or may not be related to dry mouth. Option C ("Patient experiencing dysphagia with liquids") documents difficulty swallowing liquids, which is not necessarily specific to dry mouth. Option D ("Grade II stomatitis present") documents inflammation of the mouth and could be related to radiation therapy but does not specifically indicate dry mouth. Option B ("Patient reports xerostomia") is the best choice as it directly documents the patient's complaint of dry mouth with the medical term "xerostomia."

Question 3

Which intervention should the nurse provide to help prevent social isolation in a patient who has a radioactive implant?&#10;A)Visit the patient frequently, but do not touch the patient.&#10;B)Help provide diversional activities that the patient enjoys.&#10;C)Encourage family to stay with the patient, but have them wear masks and gloves at all times.&#10;D)Have only one nurse provide care to increase consistency.

Accepted Answer

Social isolation can be a significant issue for patients with radioactive implants due to concerns about potential exposure to others. Providing diversional activities that the patient enjoys can help distract them from feelings of loneliness and decrease the likelihood of social isolation. Visiting frequently and having only one nurse provide care may not be feasible or practical. Encouraging family to stay with the patient while wearing masks and gloves may provide some social interaction, but it may also be difficult for the patient and family to maintain for extended periods of time.

Question 4

A client asks the nurse what dietary changes can be made to help protect against cancer. The nurse would base a response on which of the following?&#10;A)Reduced dietary salt intake reduces malignancy development.&#10;B)Reduced dietary fat intake can lower cancer risk.&#10;C)Increased intake of milk products will lower risk of cancer development.&#10;D)Increased intake of beef and poultry decrease the risk of malignancy.

Accepted Answer

Evidence suggests that reducing dietary fat intake can lower the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer. Reduced dietary salt intake may lower the risk of stomach cancer, but it is not a general protection against all types of cancer. Increased intake of milk products has not been shown to consistently lower cancer risk, and there is no evidence that increased intake of beef and poultry has a protective effect against cancer.

Question 5

When inspecting the intravenous site of a patient receiving a vesicant chemotherapy agent, the LPN notes a small area of swelling. What should the LPN do first?&#10;A)Discontinue the infusion and notify the RN.&#10;B)Document the finding in the chart.&#10;C)Check the site every hour.&#10;D)No action is needed; this is an expected finding.

Accepted Answer

Swelling at the intravenous site of a patient receiving a vesicant chemotherapy agent could indicate extravasation, which is the leakage of the chemotherapy agent into the surrounding tissues. This can cause tissue damage and necrosis. Therefore, the LPN should discontinue the infusion and notify the RN to assess the site and determine appropriate interventions. Documenting the finding in the chart and checking the site every hour may also be necessary, but these actions should not delay discontinuing the infusion and notifying the RN. No action is needed is not the correct answer as extravasation is a serious situation that requires action.

Question 6

A patient on chemotherapy after surgery develops thrombocytopenia. Which of the following symptoms should be reported immediately to the physician?&#10;A)Tarry stools&#10;B)Pain at the surgical site&#10;C)Blood pressure 136/88 mm Hg&#10;D)Headache

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the number of platelets, which can lead to bleeding. Tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal bleeding and should be reported immediately to the physician. Pain at the surgical site, slightly elevated blood pressure, and headache are not directly related to thrombocytopenia and can be monitored but not necessarily require immediate reporting.

Question 7

A gene is the genetic code for which of the following structures?&#10;A)Protein&#10;B)Cell&#10;C)Piece of DNA&#10;D)Piece of RNA

Accepted Answer

A gene is the genetic code for a protein. The sequence of nucleotides in a gene determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein, which in turn determines the protein's structure and function. Genes are segments of DNA that serve as the instructions for building proteins.

Question 8

A patient with lung cancer is receiving chemotherapy. Why is it important for the nurse to closely monitor the patient's white blood cell (WBC) count?&#10;A)Chemotherapy drugs cause proliferation of blood cells, which can lead to sluggish circulation.&#10;B)Chemotherapy drugs cause polycythemia and can precipitate thrombosis.&#10;C)Chemotherapy drugs depress the bone marrow, which can lead to infection and an increase in WBC count.&#10;D)Chemotherapy drugs attack WBCs and shorten their life span, which increases risk for infection.

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy drugs can depress the bone marrow, which can lead to a decrease in all blood cells, including white blood cells. This can increase the risk for infection, so it is important for the nurse to closely monitor the patient's WBC count and take appropriate precautions if the count drops too low. Choices A and B are not accurate statements about the effects of chemotherapy on blood cells, and choice D is partially true but does not fully address the importance of monitoring the WBC count.

Question 9

The nurse is assessing a patient and notes drainage on the sheets from the site of a radioactive colloid injection. What should the nurse do first?&#10;A)Change the patient's sheets.&#10;B)Stay with the patient while calling for help.&#10;C)Follow hospital policy for radioactive waste cleanup.&#10;D)Assist the patient with skin care.

Accepted Answer

The first action should be to follow hospital policy for radioactive waste cleanup to ensure safety and proper handling of the contaminated material, as radioactive substances require specific protocols for cleanup to prevent exposure and contamination.

Question 10

A patient is receiving a vesicant chemotherapy agent. The nurse notes that the patient's IV line has disconnected and is lying on the floor; the medication is dripping all over the floor. Which of the following actions is appropriate?

A)Reconnect the IV tubing immediately.
B)Wipe it up as quickly as possible with disposable cloths.
C)No special precautions are needed for vesicant drug cleanups.
D)Use gloves and a protective gown to clean the spill according to agency policy.

Accepted Answer

Vesicant chemotherapy agents are irritating and can cause tissue damage if they leak out of the IV line. Therefore, the nurse should use gloves and a protective gown to clean up the spill according to agency policy to protect themselves and others from exposure to the medication. Reconnecting the IV tubing or wiping up the spill with disposable cloths can increase the risk of exposure to the vesicant agent.

Question 11

A patient receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin) voids urine that is bright red. Which of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?&#10;A)Draw a hemoglobin sample, and prepare for possible blood transfusion.&#10;B)Notify the physician STAT.&#10;C)Check the patient's urine, and tell the patient that this is a common side effect of Adriamycin.&#10;D)Withhold all red dye from the patient's diet.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin) voids urine...

Question 12

A patient has stage I tumor in situ (TIS). Which of the following explanations of TIS by the nurse is best?&#10;A)&#34;The tumor is situated between two tissues, so there is risk for metastasis to both tissues.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;The tumor has not invaded any tissues beyond the original site.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;The tumor has spread and is generalized throughout the body.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;The tumor has spread to the lymph nodes in the immediate area.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has stage I tumor in...

Question 13

Which of the following explanations best describes the purpose of palliative surgery for cancer?&#10;A)Palliative surgery is done to remove a cancer completely and increase the chances for cure.&#10;B)Palliative surgery is done to remove surrounding lymph nodes, reducing the risk for spread of the primary tumor.&#10;C)Palliative surgery is done to increase the patient's comfort when cure is not possible.&#10;D)Palliative surgery is done to reconstruct tissues damaged by the cancer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following explanations best describes...

Question 14

A patient is scheduled for a needle biopsy of the breast. Which statement by the patient tells the nurse that teaching has been effective?&#10;A)&#34;A small needle will be used to inject chemotherapy into my tumor.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;The doctor is going to make a small incision in my breast to get some tumor cells.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;The doctor will use a needle to go into the tumor for a sample of cells.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;A needle will be implanted into the tumor so medication can be injected.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is scheduled for a needle...

Question 15

A patient is scheduled for a frozen section biopsy of the breast. Which statement by the patient indicates that she understands the purpose of this type of biopsy?&#10;A)&#34;The surgeon will take a small portion of my tumor with a syringe and analyze it to see if it is cancer.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;The surgeon will send a sample of my tumor to the lab for quick analysis, and then complete my surgery based on the results.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;The surgeon will freeze my breast tissue with a numbing agent before taking the biopsy, so I won't feel anything.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;The surgeon will remove the entire lump in my breast, and then place it in a freezer for future analysis.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is scheduled for a frozen...

Question 16

Which of the following items creates the greatest risk for a patient with leukopenia?&#10;A)A get-well card from a family member.&#10;B)A fresh apple brought in by a friend.&#10;C)A paperback book purchased at the hospital gift shop.&#10;D)A can of soda from a vending machine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following items creates the...

Question 17

A patient who has been treated for breast cancer is undergoing routine laboratory work. Which laboratory finding would cause the nurse to be most concerned about metastasis?&#10;A)Elevated serum potassium&#10;B)Elevated serum calcium&#10;C)Decreased serum potassium&#10;D)Decreased serum calcium

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient who has been treated for...

Question 18

What term is used to describe a malignant tumor of the bone?&#10;A)Adenoma&#10;B)Osteoma&#10;C)Sarcoma&#10;D)Carcinoma

Accepted Answer

The answer of What term is used to describe a...

Question 19

A patient develops alopecia related to doxorubicin (Adriamycin) therapy. Which statement explains this side effect?&#10;A)Antibiotics stop all hair growth.&#10;B)Bone marrow suppression prevents nourishment of hair follicles.&#10;C)Uric acid collects in hair cells.&#10;D)Antineoplastics such as Adriamycin attack all rapidly dividing cells.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient develops alopecia related to doxorubicin...

Question 20

Why are hair, blood, skin, and gastrointestinal tract cells more likely to be adversely affected by chemotherapy than other cells?&#10;A)Because they are exposed to air&#10;B)Because they are less able to excrete waste products&#10;C)Because they are all porous tissues&#10;D)Because they are fast growing

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are hair, blood, skin, and gastrointestinal...

Question 21

Mitosis in human cells produces cells that have which of the following characteristics? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Two sets of amino acids&#10;B)23 chromosomes&#10;C)A strengthened cell wall&#10;D)46 chromosomes&#10;E)A nuclear membrane&#10;F)Fewer organelles than the parent cell

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mitosis in human cells produces cells that...

Question 22

The nurse develops a diagnosis of &#34;Imbalanced Nutrition related to nausea and vomiting&#34; for a patient on chemotherapy. The nurse and patient decide on a goal of maintaining a stable weight during the course of chemotherapy. Which statement provides the best evidence that the goal has been met?&#10;A)Patient is able to eat 90% of meals without nausea.&#10;B)Patient's nausea and vomiting are controlled with antiemetic medication.&#10;C)Patient states nausea and vomiting are controlled.&#10;D)Patient's weight is unchanged during treatment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse develops a diagnosis of &#34;Imbalanced...

Question 23

A patient is experiencing mucositis as a result of radiation therapy. Which of the following interventions would the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Encourage citrus juice for vitamin C supplementation.&#10;B)Advise the patient to use a neutral mouthwash such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and water.&#10;C)Discourage use of alcohol and tobacco.&#10;D)Advise the patient to avoid very cold foods and drinks.&#10;E)Heat all liquids before drinking to promote oral blood flow.&#10;F)Provide oral care once daily.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is experiencing mucositis as a...

Question 24

Which of the following characteristics describe a malignant tumor? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)The cells resemble the tissue of origin.&#10;B)The cells can travel to distant organs and initiate new tumors.&#10;C)The cells may invade surrounding tissues.&#10;D)Tissue damage is minimal.&#10;E)The growth rate is rapid.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following characteristics describe a...

Question 25

Which of the following drugs are colony-stimulating factor drugs used to treat blood disorders caused by chemotherapy? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Filgrastim (Neupogen)&#10;B)Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)&#10;C)Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)&#10;D)Epoetin alfa (Epogen)&#10;E)Exemestane (Casodex)&#10;F)Irinotecan (Camptosar)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following drugs are colony-stimulating...

Question 26

Which of the following are characteristics of cancer cells? (Select all that apply)?&#10;A)They are considered immortal.&#10;B)The take on the characteristics of the cells in the tissue to which they migrate.&#10;C)They destroy the gluelike substance found between normal cells.&#10;D)They result from mutations of cellular genes.&#10;E)They usually grow slowly.&#10;F)They have division limits.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are characteristics of...

Question 27

A nurse is teaching a patient about risk factors for cancer. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?&#10;A)&#34;I should eat a low-fat diet that is high in fiber.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;I know that eating pickled and smoked foods can help prevent gastrointestinal cancers.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;I understand that eating a high-fat diet increases my risk of breast cancer.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;I should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is teaching a patient about...

Question 28

The nurse is checking the laboratory reports of a patient being treated with mitoxantrone. Which platelet count would indicate a risk for spontaneous bleeding? A)15,000/mm³ B)60,000/mm³ C)175,000/mm³ D)300,000/mm³

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is checking the laboratory reports...

Question 29

Which of the following assessment findings suggests that a patient receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer is experiencing pericardial effusion?&#10;A)Edema and shortness of breath&#10;B)Bruising and tarry stools&#10;C)Nausea, decreased bowel sounds&#10;D)Peripheral numbness and tingling

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following assessment findings suggests...

Question 30

A nurse is assessing a 58-year-old patient. What yearly screening test for colorectal cancer should the patient be asked about?&#10;A)Flexible sigmoidoscopy&#10;B)Colonoscopy&#10;C)Stool test for blood&#10;D)Barium enema

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is assessing a 58-year-old patient....

Question 31

Which of the following occurs with cellular mutation? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)The cell membrane is punctured.&#10;B)The cell can no longer divide.&#10;C)DNA mistakes have been made.&#10;D)Proteins are no longer synthesized.&#10;E)There has been a genetic change in the cell.&#10;F)The cell becomes malignant.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following occurs with cellular...

Question 32

A nurse is conducting a community education class on cancer risk. The nurse knows that teaching has been effective when women recognize that they are most at risk of dying of which type of cancer?&#10;A)Breast cancer&#10;B)Uterine cancer&#10;C)Ovarian cancer&#10;D)Lung cancer

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse is conducting a community education...

Question 33

A patient develops fatigue related to radiation therapy. Which intervention is most appropriate?&#10;A)Encourage moderate exercise between radiation treatments.&#10;B)Encourage the patient to prioritize activities around frequent rest periods.&#10;C)Encourage larger portions of foods rich with calories and protein.&#10;D)Discuss the patient's views concerning blood transfusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient develops fatigue related to radiation...

Question 34

Which nursing intervention is most important for a patient with leukopenia related to chemotherapy?&#10;A)Observe for bruising or bleeding.&#10;B)Ensure that staff members practice good hand washing.&#10;C)Assist the patient with activities of daily living (ADLs).&#10;D)Protect the patient from injury.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which nursing intervention is most important for...

Question 35

The nurse is providing dietary teaching related to reducing cancer risk. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct patients to avoid? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Cruciferous vegetables&#10;B)Alcohol&#10;C)Whole grains&#10;D)Smoked meats&#10;E)Charbroiled meat&#10;F)Root vegetables

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is providing dietary teaching related...

Question 36

A patient being treated postoperatively with chemotherapy for breast cancer also is being given epoetin alfa for anemia. During assessment, what finding should the nurse be most watchful for?&#10;A)Elevated blood pressure&#10;B)Fluid retention&#10;C)Bone pain&#10;D)Dyspnea

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient being treated postoperatively with chemotherapy...

Question 37

Which of the following is the smallest tumor diameter detectable by current diagnostic techniques?&#10;A)0.5 cm&#10;B)1 cm&#10;C)2 cm&#10;D)5 cm

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the smallest...

Question 38

The nurse is reviewing laboratory results and recognizes that which of the following individuals may need nutritional support? A)An 18-year-old with an albumin of 2.5 B)A 43-year-old with a platelet level of 180,000/mm³ C)A 56-year-old with a white cell count of 6,000/mm³ D)A 60-year-old with a calcium level of 8 mg/dL Multiple Response Identify one or more choices that best complete the statement or answer the question.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is reviewing laboratory results and...

Question 39

A patient undergoing chemotherapy telephones the clinic to complain of a nosebleed 2 days after a treatment. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse consider while further assessing the patient?&#10;A)Imbalanced Nutrition: less than body requirements&#10;B)Ineffective Protection related to thrombocytopenia&#10;C)Disturbed Body Image related to effects of chemotherapy&#10;D)Risk for Infection related to low white blood cell count

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient undergoing chemotherapy telephones the clinic...

Question 40

Which of the following is the most accurate definition of cancer?&#10;A)Cancer is a name for cells that produce toxins that destroy body organs.&#10;B)Cancer is a name for a large group of diseases characterized by cells that multiply rapidly and invade normal tissue.&#10;C)Cancer is a term used to describe all new abnormal growths in the body.&#10;D)Cancer is a name given to a disease caused primarily from toxins in the environment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the most...

Question 41

Which of the following comprise 5% or more of the estimated new cases of cancer in men or women each year? (Select all that apply.?&#10;A)Colorectal cancer&#10;B)Non-Hodgkin lymphoma&#10;C)Kidney cancer&#10;D)Lung cancer&#10;E)Breast cancer&#10;F)Prostate cancer

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following comprise 5% or...

Deck 11: Nursing Care of Patients With Cancer