CANCER NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A patient who is scheduled for a right breast biopsy asks the nurse the difference
between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor. Which answer by the nurse is correct?
a. "Benign tumors do not cause damage to other tissues."
b. "Benign tumors are likely to recur in the same location."
c. "Malignant tumors may spread to other tissues or organs."
d. "Malignant cells reproduce more rapidly than normal cells." - Answers -ANS: C
The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant tumors
invade adjacent tissues and spread to distant tissues and benign tumors never
metastasize. The other statements are inaccurate. Both types of tumors may cause
damage to adjacent tissues. Malignant cells do not reproduce more rapidly than normal
cells. Benign tumors do not usually recur.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 253
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
During a routine health examination, a 40-year-old patient tells the nurse about a family
history of colon cancer. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Teach the patient about the need for a colonoscopy at age 50.
b. Teach the patient how to do home testing for fecal occult blood.
c. Obtain more information from the patient about the family history.
d. Schedule a sigmoidoscopy to provide baseline data about the patient. - Answers -
ANS: C
The patient may be at increased risk for colon cancer, but the nurse's first action should
be further assessment. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on the
information that is obtained from the patient with further questioning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 255-256
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and
Maintenance
, A patient who is diagnosed with cervical cancer that is classified as Tis, N0, M0 asks
the nurse what the letters and numbers mean. Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
a."The cancer involves only the cervix."
b."The cancer cells look almost like normal cells."
c."Further testing is needed to determine the spread of the cancer."
d."It is difficult to determine the original site of the cervical cancer." - Answers -ANS: A
The nurse administers an IV vesicant chemotherapeutic agent to a patient. Which action
is most important for the nurse to take?
a. Infuse the medication over a short period of time.
b. Stop the infusion if swelling is observed at the site.
c. Administer the chemotherapy through a small-bore catheter.
d. Hold the medication unless a central venous line is available. - Answers -ANS: B
Swelling at the site may indicate extravasation, and the IV should be stopped
immediately. The medication generally should be given slowly to avoid irritation of the
vein. The size of the catheter is not as important as administration of vesicants into a
running IV line to allow dilution of the chemotherapeutic drug. These medications can
be given through peripheral lines, although central vascular access devices (CVADs)
are preferred.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 259
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
A chemotherapy drug that causes alopecia is prescribed for a patient. Which action
should the nurse take to maintain the patient's self-esteem?
a. Tell the patient to limit social contacts until regrowth of the hair occurs.
b. Encourage the patient to purchase a wig or hat and wear it once hair loss begins.
c. Teach the patient to gently wash hair with a mild shampoo to minimize hair loss.
d. Inform the patient that hair usually grows back once the chemotherapy is complete. -
Answers -ANS: B
A patient who is scheduled for a right breast biopsy asks the nurse the difference
between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor. Which answer by the nurse is correct?
a. "Benign tumors do not cause damage to other tissues."
b. "Benign tumors are likely to recur in the same location."
c. "Malignant tumors may spread to other tissues or organs."
d. "Malignant cells reproduce more rapidly than normal cells." - Answers -ANS: C
The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant tumors
invade adjacent tissues and spread to distant tissues and benign tumors never
metastasize. The other statements are inaccurate. Both types of tumors may cause
damage to adjacent tissues. Malignant cells do not reproduce more rapidly than normal
cells. Benign tumors do not usually recur.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 253
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
During a routine health examination, a 40-year-old patient tells the nurse about a family
history of colon cancer. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Teach the patient about the need for a colonoscopy at age 50.
b. Teach the patient how to do home testing for fecal occult blood.
c. Obtain more information from the patient about the family history.
d. Schedule a sigmoidoscopy to provide baseline data about the patient. - Answers -
ANS: C
The patient may be at increased risk for colon cancer, but the nurse's first action should
be further assessment. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on the
information that is obtained from the patient with further questioning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 255-256
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and
Maintenance
, A patient who is diagnosed with cervical cancer that is classified as Tis, N0, M0 asks
the nurse what the letters and numbers mean. Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
a."The cancer involves only the cervix."
b."The cancer cells look almost like normal cells."
c."Further testing is needed to determine the spread of the cancer."
d."It is difficult to determine the original site of the cervical cancer." - Answers -ANS: A
The nurse administers an IV vesicant chemotherapeutic agent to a patient. Which action
is most important for the nurse to take?
a. Infuse the medication over a short period of time.
b. Stop the infusion if swelling is observed at the site.
c. Administer the chemotherapy through a small-bore catheter.
d. Hold the medication unless a central venous line is available. - Answers -ANS: B
Swelling at the site may indicate extravasation, and the IV should be stopped
immediately. The medication generally should be given slowly to avoid irritation of the
vein. The size of the catheter is not as important as administration of vesicants into a
running IV line to allow dilution of the chemotherapeutic drug. These medications can
be given through peripheral lines, although central vascular access devices (CVADs)
are preferred.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 259
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
A chemotherapy drug that causes alopecia is prescribed for a patient. Which action
should the nurse take to maintain the patient's self-esteem?
a. Tell the patient to limit social contacts until regrowth of the hair occurs.
b. Encourage the patient to purchase a wig or hat and wear it once hair loss begins.
c. Teach the patient to gently wash hair with a mild shampoo to minimize hair loss.
d. Inform the patient that hair usually grows back once the chemotherapy is complete. -
Answers -ANS: B
