Deck 8: Caring for the Cancer Survivor

Question 1

A nurse is providing follow-up care for cancer survivors. Which condition should the nurse most monitor for in these patients?

A) Cancer
B) Infection
C) Weight gain
D) Low blood pressure

Answer 1

Cancer

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient with known coronary artery disease who has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. What should the nurse do?

A) Focus the assessment solely on the cancer diagnosis since it is the newer diagnosis.
B) Ask questions about cardiac symptoms and their relationship to the cancer.
C) Ignore symptom management and focus on palliative care.
D) Say nothing because cancer survivors dislike prying.

Answer 2

Ask questions about cardiac symptoms and their relationship to the cancer.

Question 3

The patient has lung cancer and voices concerns about cancer treatments affecting sexuality. What is the nurse's best reply?

A) "That is something to ask the health care provider."
B) "Chemotherapy will work in the lungs and should have no effect on sexuality."
C) "How cancer treatment affects sexuality depends on how active you are and your age."
D) "Sexual changes are common with cancer therapy. Let me get someone who can answer your questions."

Answer 3

"Sexual changes are common with cancer therapy. Let me get someone who can answer your questions."

Question 4

A nurse is assessing a cancer survivor and the caregiver. Which examples describe the possible caregiving patterns the nurse may observe?

The collaborative care pattern

A)Patients and caregivers share activities of care.
B)Family provides most of the care because the patient is unable.
C)Patients mostly care for self with caregivers in a standby role.

Question 5

When planning for cancer survivor care needs, which information should the nurse consider?

A) Survivorship care plans are reviewed with the patient at home.
B) All health care agencies provide survivorship care plans.
C) Some survivors are discharged with no survivor plan.
D) The plan does not deal with future cancer screenings.

Question 6

A cancer survivor patient has anxiety and depression. Which therapies should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

A) Keep information to a minimum with health care providers.
B) Teach the use of problem-oriented coping processes.
C) Encourage the use of social support systems.
D) Use cognitive behavioral interventions.
E) Schedule exercise when convenient.

Question 7

A nurse is working on a cancer unit. The unit uses the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship definition for a cancer survivor. Which definition will the nurse use?

A) Been cancer free for 5 years after diagnosis
B) Been cancer free for 3 years after diagnosis
C) Had cancer and is declared cancer free
D) Had cancer and extends until death

Question 8

A nurse is assessing a cancer survivor for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CPIN). Which assessment finding is consistent with CPIN?

A) Hearing loss
B) Devastating depression
C) Extreme loss of motor functioning
D) Numbness and tingling in hands and feet

Question 9

A nurse is working in a cancer facility that follows the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recommendations for essential components of survivorship care. Which recommendations will be the nurse's focus? (Select all that apply.)

A) Cessation of noncancer follow-up and care
B) Prevention and detection of new and recurrent cancers
C) Intervention for consequences of cancer and its treatment
D) Coordination between specialists and primary care providers
E) Surveillance for cancer spread, recurrence, or second cancers

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with cancer. The family of the patient asks the nurse for resources about the cancer. What should the nurse do?

A) Refer family members to the health care provider.
B) Inform them that few options are available.
C) Maintain confidentiality by keeping silent.
D) Provide the family with the information.

Question 11

A breast cancer survivor has chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. Which area should the nurse assess?

A) Pain
B) Grief
C) Nightmares
D) Short-term memory

Question 12

A nurse is taking a history on a patient with cancer. Which assessment is priority?

A) Fatigue
B) Vision
C) Dehydration
D) Blood pressure

Question 13

A cancer survivor is in the intensive care unit (ICU). Some of the patient's family is from out of town and would like to see the patient even though it is not "official" visiting hours. The patient is anxious to see family members. The nurse allows the family to visit. What is the rationale for the nurse's actions?

A) The nurse disagrees with the established time for visiting.
B) The nurse realizes that the patient is dying.
C) The nurse feels there is no real reason to have limited visiting hours.
D) The nurse believes that the visit will help relieve psychological stress.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a young woman with breast cancer. The stress between the woman and spouse is obvious, as is anxiety among the children. What is the nurse's best action in this situation?

A) Help find or develop an educational program for the patient and spouse.
B) Encourage the patient to agree with the spouse.
C) Support the spouse, and explain that the spouse knows what is best.
D) Take the children away and recommend foster care.

Question 15

A nurse is assessing a cancer survivor and the caregiver. Which examples describe the possible caregiving patterns the nurse may observe?

The self-caregiving pattern

A)Patients and caregivers share activities of care.
B)Family provides most of the care because the patient is unable.
C)Patients mostly care for self with caregivers in a standby role.

Question 16

A nurse is assessing a cancer survivor and the caregiver. Which examples describe the possible caregiving patterns the nurse may observe?

The family caregiving pattern

A)Patients and caregivers share activities of care.
B)Family provides most of the care because the patient is unable.
C)Patients mostly care for self with caregivers in a standby role.

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer. The patient asks the nurse about the value of cancer screening when therapy is over. What is the nurse's best response?

A) "It should be done on an ongoing schedule."
B) "It is not something that should be discussed right now."
C) "It probably will not be needed since the cancer has been cured."
D) "It usually is not done but can be done if the patient wants peace of mind."

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a patient who has successfully undergone cancer therapy and will be discharged home soon. The patient is concerned about going home and not knowing what to do. Which information is the most valuable for the nurse to share with the patient?

A) The nurse will develop a plan of care that will tell exactly what needs to be done.
B) If any issues arise, call the health care provider and follow the instructions.
C) Proper cancer treatment has been provided, and nothing else is required.
D) There is a team that will provide support and care that may be needed.