311 Cancer Questions – Flashcards
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The nurse is caring for a patient receiving an initial dose of chemotherapy to treat a rapidly growing metastatic colon cancer. The nurse is aware that this patient is at risk for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and will monitor the patient closely for which of the following abnormalities associated with this oncologic emergency?
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hypocalcemia
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The nurse is caring for a patient suffering from anorexia secondary to chemotherapy. Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for the nurse to use to increase the patient's nutritional intake?
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Add items such as skim milk powder, cheese, honey, or peanut butter to selected foods
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Which of the following items would be most beneficial when providing oral care to a patient with metastatic cancer who is at risk for oral tissue injury secondary to chemotherapy?
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1 tsp salt in 1 L water mouth rinse
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Which of the following nursing diagnoses is most appropriate for a patient experiencing myelosuppression secondary to chemotherapy for cancer treatment?
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risk for infection
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Previous administrations of chemotherapy agents to a cancer patient have resulted in diarrhea. Which of the following dietary modifications should the nurse recommend?
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a bland, low-fiber diet
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A 33-year-old patient has recently been diagnosed with stage II cervical cancer. The nurse would understand that the patient's cancer
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has spread locally
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Trends in the incidence and death rates of cancer include the fact that
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African Americans have a higher death rate from cancer than whites
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What cellular features of cancer cells distinguish them from normal cells?
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cells lack contact inhibition cells return to a previous undifferentiated state new proteins characteristic of embryonic stage emerge on cell membrane
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A characteristic of the stage of progression in the development of cancer is
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proliferation of cancer cells in spite of host control mechanisms
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The primary protective role of the immune system related to malignant cells is
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serveillance for cells with tumor associated antigens
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The primary difference between benign and malignant neoplasms is the
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characteristic of tissue invasiveness
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The nurse is caring for a 59 year old woman who had surgery 1 day ago for removal of a suspected malignant abdominal mass. The patient is awaiting the pathology report. She is tearful and says that she is scared to die. The most effective nursing intervention at this point is to use this opportunity to
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allow her to communicate about the meaning of this experience
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The goals of cancer treatment are based on the principle that
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a combination of treatment modalities is effective for controlling many cancers
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The most effective method of administering a chemotherapeutic agent that is a vesicant is to
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use central venous access device
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The nurse explains to a patient undergoing brachytherapy of the cervix that she
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requires the use of radioactive precautions during nursing care
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A patient on chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancer has a WBC count of 1.9 x 10^3/uL, hemoglobin of 10.8g/dL, and a platelet count of 99 x 10^3/uL. Based on the CBC results, which of the folloiwng is the most serious clinical finding?
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temperature of 101.9, fatigue, and shortness of breath (fever in the setting of neutropenia is a medical emergency)
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During the initial dose of rituximab (Rituxan), the patient starts to complain of feeling cold with the subsequent development of shivering. The first course of action the nurse should take is to
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stop the infusion of rituximab and administer noraml saline
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The nurse cousels the patient receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy that
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following successful treatment, a return to the person's previous functional level can be expected
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A patient on chemotherapy for 10 weeks started at a weight of 121 lb. She now weighs 118 lb and has no sense of taste. Which nursing interventions would be a priority?
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advise the patient to experiment with spices and seasonings to enchance the flavor of food
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A 70 year old male patient has multiple myeloma. His wife calls to report that he sleeps most of the day, is confused when awake, and complains of nausea and constipation. Which complication of cancer is this most likely caused by?
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hypercalcemia
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A patient has recently been diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer. Which of the following is most appropriate for the nurse to focus on?
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maintaining the patient's hope
