A patient who has lung cancer calls the clinic reports facial and neck swelling severe enough so that shirts no longer fit. What question by the healthcare professional there would be most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients with certain kinds of cancer (small cell and nonsmall cell cancers of the lung, and lymphoma) can develop superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) which is a progressive occlusion of the superior vena cava. This leads to venous distention in the upper extremities and head. Other symptoms include hoarse voice, dyspnea, dysphagia, stridor, cough, and chest pain. The professional should ask about the other symptoms. A large weight gain would occur slowly. Asking about edema elsewhere would be a question if the patient denied any other symptoms of SVCS. The date of the last chemotherapy is not relevant.

A Patient Who Has Lung Cancer Calls the Clinic Reports