The nurse is obtaining a health history from a client with a 40 year, pack a day smoking history, symptoms of hoarseness and tightness in the throat, and difficulty swallowing. Which of the following questions is most important for the nurse to ask?
A)"How much alcohol do you drink in an average week?"
B)"Do you have a family history of head or neck cancer?"
C)"Have you had frequent streptococcal throat infections?"
D)"Do you use antihistamines for upper airway congestion?"

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prolonged alcohol use and smoking are associated with the development of laryngeal cancer, which the client's symptoms and history suggest. Family history is not a risk factor for head or neck cancer. Frequent antihistamine use would be asked about if the nurse suspected allergic rhinitis, but the client's symptoms are not suggestive of this diagnosis.
Streptococcal throat infections also may cause these clinical manifestations, but clients also will complain of pain and fever.

The Nurse Is Obtaining a Health History from a Client