NUR - 421 Exam 1 Study Questions and
Correct Answers
Seven Warning Signs of Cancer ✅Change in bowel/bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding/discharge from body orifice
Thickening or a lump in breast/body
Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness
Staging of cancer ✅0: cancer in situ
I: tumor limited to tissue of origin
II: limited local spread
III: extensive local and regional spread
IV: metastasis
Prevention and Early Detection of Cancer ✅Limit alcohol use.
• Get regular physical activity.
• Maintain a normal body weight.
• Obtain regular colorectal screenings.
• Avoid cigarette smoking and other tobacco use.
• Get regular mammography screening and Pap tests.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.
• Practice healthy dietary habits, such as reducing fat consumption, avoiding processed
meats, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
Tx: Prophylaxis ✅Removing at risk tissue to prevent development
Ex: Removing colon polps for patient who is at risk
Tx: Palliation ✅Increase quality of life
Ex. Tumor making it difficult to swallow (debulking)
Side effects for TX of cancer procedures ✅o Loss of specific body part or its function
o Can have entire organs remove
o Any organ loss reduces function
o Major scaring or disfigurement
o Physical care need - OT/PT - Support groups and/or mental health referral
Chemotherapy ✅• Treatment of cancer with chemical agents
• Used to cure and increase survival time
, Chemotherapy can be used with what other adjutant therapies? ✅Used along with
radiation or surgery
Chemotherapy affects people ___________ and Radiation Therapy affects people
___________ ✅Chemotherapy affects people systemically and Radiation Therapy
affects people Locally
Administration of chemotherapy ✅- IV (most common method of administering)
- Every 3 to 4 weeks for a specific number of times
Directly into body cavity
• Spine cord
• Brain
• Abdomen
• Bladder
Complications of IV chemotherapy administration ✅Vesicant Extravasation
• Pain, Infection, Loss of tissue
Nursing intervention
• Close monitoring of access site
Nursing intervention for Vesicant Extravasation ✅Close monitoring of access site
(Prevention)
When it occurs -
- Stop IV
- Ice pack for vasoconstriction
- Notify physician
- Orders - Sodium Bi-carb and a vasoconstriction agent.
Cachexia ✅Extreme wasting and malnutrition
Education for RN to administer chemotherapy ✅- Absorbed through skin and mucous
membrane so RN is at risk for absorption as well
- Wearing PPE - Eye shield, Mask, Gown, Chemo gloves or double gloves
- Monitor patient and nursing care for all nurses
Oral chemotherapy medication ✅Still harmful to nurses and family members
Acute chemo drug reactions ✅Acute
♣ Anaphylaxis
♣ Hypersensitivity
♣ Extravasation
♣ Occurs during and immediately after drug administration
- In addition
• Flare reaction
Correct Answers
Seven Warning Signs of Cancer ✅Change in bowel/bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding/discharge from body orifice
Thickening or a lump in breast/body
Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness
Staging of cancer ✅0: cancer in situ
I: tumor limited to tissue of origin
II: limited local spread
III: extensive local and regional spread
IV: metastasis
Prevention and Early Detection of Cancer ✅Limit alcohol use.
• Get regular physical activity.
• Maintain a normal body weight.
• Obtain regular colorectal screenings.
• Avoid cigarette smoking and other tobacco use.
• Get regular mammography screening and Pap tests.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.
• Practice healthy dietary habits, such as reducing fat consumption, avoiding processed
meats, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
Tx: Prophylaxis ✅Removing at risk tissue to prevent development
Ex: Removing colon polps for patient who is at risk
Tx: Palliation ✅Increase quality of life
Ex. Tumor making it difficult to swallow (debulking)
Side effects for TX of cancer procedures ✅o Loss of specific body part or its function
o Can have entire organs remove
o Any organ loss reduces function
o Major scaring or disfigurement
o Physical care need - OT/PT - Support groups and/or mental health referral
Chemotherapy ✅• Treatment of cancer with chemical agents
• Used to cure and increase survival time
, Chemotherapy can be used with what other adjutant therapies? ✅Used along with
radiation or surgery
Chemotherapy affects people ___________ and Radiation Therapy affects people
___________ ✅Chemotherapy affects people systemically and Radiation Therapy
affects people Locally
Administration of chemotherapy ✅- IV (most common method of administering)
- Every 3 to 4 weeks for a specific number of times
Directly into body cavity
• Spine cord
• Brain
• Abdomen
• Bladder
Complications of IV chemotherapy administration ✅Vesicant Extravasation
• Pain, Infection, Loss of tissue
Nursing intervention
• Close monitoring of access site
Nursing intervention for Vesicant Extravasation ✅Close monitoring of access site
(Prevention)
When it occurs -
- Stop IV
- Ice pack for vasoconstriction
- Notify physician
- Orders - Sodium Bi-carb and a vasoconstriction agent.
Cachexia ✅Extreme wasting and malnutrition
Education for RN to administer chemotherapy ✅- Absorbed through skin and mucous
membrane so RN is at risk for absorption as well
- Wearing PPE - Eye shield, Mask, Gown, Chemo gloves or double gloves
- Monitor patient and nursing care for all nurses
Oral chemotherapy medication ✅Still harmful to nurses and family members
Acute chemo drug reactions ✅Acute
♣ Anaphylaxis
♣ Hypersensitivity
♣ Extravasation
♣ Occurs during and immediately after drug administration
- In addition
• Flare reaction
