Question 1

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient newly diagnosed with leukemia. The patient says, "My physician mentioned that her survival rates for this type of cancer are good, so I guess my chances of beating this are good, too." How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Survival rates are based on the outcomes of large groups of patients with similar characteristics and are not specific to an individual patient. The nurse should educate the patient to understand that survival rates provide an overall view and not personalized to the individual.

Question 2

Which patient would the nurse prioritize as needing information about lifestyle modifications to prevent cancer?

Accepted Answer

The patient who would prioritize information about lifestyle modifications to prevent cancer is option C, a 44-year-old African American woman whose mother had breast cancer at age 50 and who is overweight, smokes one or two cigarettes a week, and drinks three cups of coffee daily. This patient has multiple risk factors for cancer, including a family history of breast cancer, smoking, and being overweight. The nurse would prioritize educating this patient on lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting coffee consumption to reduce her risk of cancer.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a group of high school students about risk factors for the development of cancer. The nurse explains that alcohol is the leading etiologic factor in cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus. The nurse goes on to explain that the risk is even higher if alcohol is combined with which substance?

Accepted Answer

Tobacco is known to increase the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus, and when combined with alcohol, the risk is even higher. Spicy foods, soda, and sweet foods do not have a known association with these types of cancers.

Question 4

The TNM classification system is being used to stage a patient's cancer. The nurse would plan to care for a patient with an advanced lesion spreading into adjacent organs if the primary tumor size (T) classification is T_____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The TNM classification system is being used...

Question 5

The nurse would anticipate hormone therapy to be considered in patients with cancers of which tissues?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse would anticipate hormone therapy to...

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old male with Hodgkin's disease who has received both chemotherapy and radiation. He was admitted to the hospital to evaluate an unexplained increasing fatigue and inability to care for himself. What nursing interventions are indicated?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Limiting oral intake is not indicated unless there is a specific reason, such as Nausea, Vomiting or Dehydration, which has not been mentioned in the question stem. It is important to space activities to allow for periods of rest, especially in a patient who is experiencing increasing fatigue. A consult with a nutritionist can offer valuable guidance on how to maintain adequate nutritional intake despite the patient's decreased appetite and weakened state. Assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit can help identify any anemia or potential blood loss that can exacerbate the patient's fatigue. Encouraging the patient to move about in bed every hour may not be feasible, depending on the patient's condition and level of weakness. It is important to balance activity with rest to promote healing and prevent further fatigue.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old female with head and neck cancer who had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove the tumor. She is scheduled to begin external beam radiation therapy 1 week after discharge from the hospital. Which recommendations should the nurse stress when preparing the patient for this radiation treatment?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should stress the importance of getting plenty of rest to help the body heal and manage fatigue from radiation therapy. Meticulous skin care is crucial to protect the skin from radiation damage and irritation.

Question 8

The nurse is on a team charged with developing techniques to reduce the occurrence of serosal seeding during cancer therapy. Which procedures and interventions should be the focus of this team's work?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Serosal seeding refers to the spread of cancer cells to the lining of the internal organs, which can occur through direct manipulation of the tumor or procedures that breach the tumor's integrity, such as biopsies. Thus, focusing on minimizing invasive procedures like biopsies and careful handling of the tumor during surgery can help reduce the risk of serosal seeding. External beam radiation, brachytherapy, and the use of pressure bandages postoperatively do not directly contribute to the risk of serosal seeding in the same manner.

Question 9

A patient newly diagnosed with prostate cancer says, "I know this kind of cancer spreads to other organs. Which places should I worry about getting it?" The nurse would include which anatomical locations in the response to this question?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient newly diagnosed with prostate cancer...

Question 10

A patient is deciding on a course of therapy for advanced cancer. Which information should the nurse provide about chemotherapy?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) The statement is incorrect, as the genitourinary system can also be affected by chemotherapy. 
B) The statement is incorrect, as chemotherapy can actually decrease the number of platelets and increase the risk of bleeding. 
C) While chemotherapy can cause discomfort, it is not always a painful experience. 
D) This statement is true, as side effects of chemotherapy can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract and can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 
E) This statement is true, as some chemotherapeutic agents can result in permanent heart damage, especially if the patient has pre-existing cardiac conditions.

Question 11

The nurse is participating in a community education event on cancer and is planning a display describing the difference between malignant and benign tumors. Which information would the nurse include as characteristic of malignancy?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Malignant tumors are characterized by infiltrative growth, poor differentiation, and a good blood supply.

Question 12

The nurse is teaching a group of middle-school children about avoiding carcinogens. The nurse would divide the carcinogens into which categories?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Carcinogens can be categorized into biological factors (such as viruses), chemical factors (such as tobacco smoke), and environmental factors (such as UV radiation).

Question 13

The nurse has provided discharge instructions to a patient who has metastatic lung cancer and stomatitis. The nurse would evaluate that understanding has occurred when the patient makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning the mouth before and after every meal can help prevent infections and reduce the severity of stomatitis. Brushing teeth and flossing may be too abrasive and cause further irritation. Full-strength peroxide and frequent swabbing with mouthwash can also further irritate the sores.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The patient has developed a sore mouth, nausea and vomiting, and anorexia. How should the nurse respond to the patient's report of symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are common side effects of chemotherapy, so the best response is to reassure the patient that these symptoms are expected and that medications have already been ordered to help manage them. Option A is incorrect because the symptoms are not consistent with the flu, and antinausea medication has likely already been prescribed. Option B is incorrect because while oral care may help prevent or soothe oral sores, the symptoms are not a direct result of the cancer itself. Option C is incorrect because an allergic reaction to chemotherapy would likely present with more severe symptoms and require immediate medical attention.

Question 15

A patient's relative asks the nurse what type of gift would be appropriate for a patient who has an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of

Accepted Answer

Patients with a low absolute neutrophil count (ANC) are at increased risk for infection, so it's important to avoid gifts that could introduce bacteria or other pathogens. Flavored bottled water is a safe and appropriate gift because it does not pose an infection risk, unlike fresh fruits, potted plants, or raw foods like sushi, which could be harmful.

Quiz 57: Caring for the Patient With Cancer