Cancer Exam 2 Questions and Answers
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Your patient has recently completed her first round of chemotherapy in the treatment of
lung cancer. When reviewing this morning's blood work, what findings would be
suggestive of myelosuppression?
Decreased platelets and red blood cells
Increased white blood cells and c-reactive protein (CRP)
Decreased sodium levels and decreased potassium levels
Increased creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - Answer-Decreased platelets and
red blood cells
Most chemotherapeutic agents cause myelosuppression (depression of bone marrow
function), resulting in decreased production of blood cells. Myelosuppression decreases
the number of WBCs (leukopenia), red blood cells (RBCs) (anemia), and platelets
(thrombocytopenia), and increases the risk of infection and bleeding. It does not
typically affect electrolytes, creatinine, BUN, and CRP levels.
After a bone marrow transplant (BMT), the client should be monitored for at least
100 days
14 days
30 days
60 days - Answer-100 days
Explanation:
After a BMT, the nurse closely monitors the client for at least 100 days or more after the
procedure because complications related to the transplant can occur 100 days or more
as post procedure infections are one common complication that may lead to sepsis and
transplant failure.
Which is a sign or symptom of septic shock?
Increased urine output
Warm, moist skin
Hypertension
Altered mental status - Answer-Altered mental status
Explanation:
Signs of septic shock include altered mental status, cool and clammy skin, decreased
urine output, and hypotension.
A patient is scheduled for cryoablation for cervical cancer and tells the nurse, "I am not
exactly sure what the surgeon is going to do." What is the best response by the nurse?
,"The surgeon is going to use a laser to remove the area."
"The surgeon is going to use liquid nitrogen to freeze the area."
"The surgeon is going to use medication to inject the area."
"The surgeon is going to use radiofrequency to ablate the area." - Answer-"The surgeon
is going to use liquid nitrogen to freeze the area."
Explanation:
Cryoablation is the use of liquid nitrogen or a very cold probe to freeze tissue and cause
cell destruction. It is used for cervical, prostate, and rectal cancers. Chemosurgery is
the use of medication. Laser surgery is the use of a laser. Radiofrequency ablation is
the use of thermal energy.
The nurse is providing client teaching for a client undergoing chemotherapy. What
dietary modifications should the nurse advise?
Avoid intake of fluids.
Eat warm or hot foods.
Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
Eat wholesome meals. - Answer-Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
Explanation:
The nurse advises a client undergoing chemotherapy to avoid hot and very cold liquids
and spicy and fatty foods. The nurse also encourages the client to have small meals
and appropriate fluid intake.
The nurse at the clinic explains to the patient that the surgeon will be removing a mole
on the patient's back that has the potential to develop into cancer. The nurse informs
the patient that this is what type of procedure?
Palliative
Prophylactic
Diagnostic
Reconstructive - Answer-Prophylactic
Explanation:
Prophylactic surgery involves removing nonvital tissues or organs that are at increased
risk of developing cancer. When surgical cure is not possible, the goals of surgical
interventions are to relieve symptoms, make the patient as comfortable as possible, and
promote quality of life as defined by the patient and family. Palliative surgery and other
interventions are performed in an attempt to relieve complications of cancer, such as
ulceration, obstruction, hemorrhage, pain, and malignant effusions (Table 15-6).
Reconstructive surgery may follow curative or radical surgery in an attempt to improve
function or obtain a more desirable cosmetic effect. Diagnostic surgery, or biopsy, is
performed to obtain a tissue sample for histologic analysis of cells suspected to be
malignant.
A client with a brain tumor is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for treatment of
cancer. The client has recently reported swelling in the gums, tongue, and lips. Which is
the most likely cause of these symptoms?
, Neutropenia
Nadir
Extravasation
Stomatitis - Answer-Stomatitis
Explanation:
The symptoms of swelling in gums, tongue, and lips indicate stomatitis. This usually
occurs 5 to 10 days after the administration of certain chemotherapeutic agents or
radiation therapy to the head and neck. Chemotherapy and radiation produce chemical
toxins that lead to the breakdown of cells in the mucosa of the epithelium, connective
tissue, and blood vessels in the oral cavity.
What intervention should the nurse provide to reduce the incidence of renal damage
when a patient is taking a chemotherapy regimen?
Take measures to acidify the urine and prevent uric acid crystallization.
Encourage fluid intake to dilute the urine.
Limit fluids to 1,000 mL daily to prevent accumulation of the drug's end products after
cell lysis.
Withhold medication when the blood urea nitrogen level exceeds 20 mg/dL. - Answer-
Encourage fluid intake to dilute the urine.
Explanation:
The nurse should ensure adequate fluid hydration before, during, and after drug
administration and assess intake and output. Adequate fluid volume dilutes drug levels,
which can help prevent renal damage.
The nurse is preparing to assess a client whose chart documents that the client
experienced extravasation when receiving the vesicant vincristine during the previous
shift. The documentation also notes that an antidote was administered immediately. The
nurse prepares to assess for which conditions? Select all that apply.
Active bleeding
Effectiveness of the antidote
Tissue necrosis
Sloughing tissue - Answer-Sloughing tissue
Tissue necrosis
Effectiveness of the antidote
Explanation:
Extravasation of vesicant chemotherapeutic agents can lead to erythema, sloughing,
and necrosis of surrounding tissue, muscle, and tendons. To reduce the likelihood and
severity of symptoms due to extravasation of a vesicant, antidotes matched to the
vesicant are administered. Nurses caring for a client who experienced extravasation of
a vesicant should assess for sloughing tissue, tissue necrosis, erythema, and
effectiveness of the antidote.
