Question 1

In the nursing interventions for a patient receiving external radiation treatments for a malignancy, the nurse must remember to

Accepted Answer

A)   cleanse with soap and water the areas of entry or "ports" marked by the radiologist.
B)   apply some form of ointment with a metallic base to the area of entry each time the patient goes for x-ray treatments.
C)   instruct the patient to avoid irritating the "ports" by not lying on that part of the body and not wearing constricting clothing.
D)   isolate the patient so he will not expose others to radiation. C

Question 2

The nurse instructs a patient who has been smoking for 5 years about the warning signs of cancer. The nurse tells him that one of the cancer's seven warning signals include

Accepted Answer

A)   nagging cough or hoarseness.
B)   a sore that does not heal rapidly.
C)   gallbladder disease.
D)   hematopoietic changes. A

Question 3

A patient has been told she will have a palliative surgery for her ovarian cancer. She wants to know what type of surgery that is and how it will help her. The nurse tells her that the surgery will

Accepted Answer

A)   reduce symptoms.
B)   remove tumors while still in the benign stage.
C)   result in a cure.
D)   aid in confirming a diagnosis. A

Question 4

Chemical means of pain management include the use of opioids and nonopioids. A valuable nonopioid analgesic in the treatment of certain levels of cancer pain is

Accepted Answer

A)   steroids.
B)   acetaminophen.
C)   codeine.
D)   morphine.

Question 5

A patient is undergoing internal radiation therapy. In planning her care for the day, the nurse must remember to

Accepted Answer

A)   stand at the greatest distance away from the site where an internal radiation device is in the patient's body.
B)   spend as much time as possible with the patient because of the patient's fear.
C)   retrieve the applicator and replace if it becomes dislodged.
D)   provide the patient's family with chairs near the patient.

Question 6

A patient is admitted to the unit for an autologous bone marrow transplant. During teaching, the nurse would tell the patient that the bone marrow for transplant will come from

Accepted Answer

A)   an anonymous donor.
B)   her closest living relative.
C)   her own marrow.
D)   a friend.

Question 7

The term ____________ is used for various substances that are known to contribute to cancer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term ____________ is used for various...

Question 8

A patient receiving chemotherapy has been told he has thrombocytopenia. He is getting ready to do his morning care. Which is an appropriate teaching measure to include?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Take an aspirin before beginning; it will help with your pain."
B)   "Trim your toenails close to prevent infection."
C)   "Use an electric shaver."
D)   "Be sure to scrub your teeth vigorously."

Question 9

A patient, age 59, has lost 10 pounds in the first 3 weeks of her radiation therapy and does not eat because nothing tastes good. Which is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for her?

Accepted Answer

A)   Ineffective health maintenance related to lack of knowledge of nutritional requirements during radiation therapy
B)   Risk for infection related to poor nutrition
C)   Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements, related to anorexia
D)   Ineffective therapeutic regimen management related to refusal to eat

Question 10

Methods of early cancer detection include

Accepted Answer

A)   digital rectal examinations every year after age 60.
B)   Hematest of stool for blood every year after age 70.
C)   chest radiograph evaluation every year.
D)   mammogram baseline at age 35 to 39, then every year after age 50 for women.

Question 11

A patient, age 43, had a biopsy of a lump in her right breast that revealed a benign tumor. The nurse explains to her that a benign tumor differs from a malignant tumor in that benign tumors

Accepted Answer

A)   do not cause damage to adjacent tissue.
B)   are simply an overgrowth of normal cells.
C)   do not spread to other tissues and organs.
D)   frequently recur in the same site.

Question 12

Men over age 50 should have annual _________ tests and rectal examinations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Men over age 50 should have annual...

Question 13

Using the TNM staging classification system, a tumor staged as T4N3M2 would mean

Accepted Answer

A)   no evidence of primary tumor, lymph node involvement, or distant metastasis.
B)   carcinoma in situ, regional lymph node involvement, and metastasis to one site.
C)   large tumor, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis.
D)   medium-sized tumor, no lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis.

Question 14

A patient, age 63, has terminal cancer of the liver and is cared for by his wife at home. His abdominal pain has become increasingly severe, and he now says it is intense most of the time. The nurse recognizes that teaching regarding pain management has been effective based on which measure implemented by this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Limiting the use of opiate analgesics to prevent addiction
B)   Using analgesics only when the pain becomes more than he can tolerate
C)   Taking analgesics around the clock on a regular schedule, using additional doses for breakthrough pain
D)   Resigning himself to the fact that pain is an inevitable consequence of cancer

Question 15

Before insertion of the radioactive implant, the nurse tells the patient what to expect while it is in place. Which statement is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Nurses will always be available, but they will spend only short periods of time at your bedside."
B)   "Personal cleanliness is essential, so you will be given a complete bed bath each day."
C)   "Pain or discomfort is a common side effect of this type of radiation."
D)   "Your bed linens will be completely changed each day to minimize radioactive contamination."

Question 16

Seeking medical attention when any cancer warning signs occur is frequently delayed because of

Accepted Answer

A)   difficulty accessing a physician or getting a referral consult.
B)   lack of knowledge of the seven warning signs of cancer.
C)   fear of the possible diagnosis of cancer and hoping signs will go away.
D)   self-examination being complex and difficult to perform.

Question 17

A patient, age 39, has been receiving chemotherapy for treatment of her cancer of the breast. She has a white blood cell count of 1,600/mm³. A person who has leukopenia has a special need for which nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

A)   Provision of adequate fluid intake
B)   Protection from falls
C)   Protection against infection
D)   Limitation of activities

Question 18

A patient, age 53, has discovered a lump in her breast while performing her monthly breast self-examination. Which action is recommended next for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   A prompt examination by her physician is needed.
B)   It is best to wait at least 1 month to be sure the lump remains.
C)   A physical examination should be postponed until the lump enlarges.
D)   Warm, moist compresses should be applied at least three times a day to help reduce the size.

Question 19

A patient, age 62, has been receiving external radiation and chemotherapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma. His oral mucosa is denuded and edematous. He has ulcerations over his bucca and tongue, and his saliva is thick and ropey. Which intervention does the nurse teach to this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Use a soft diet until the acute reaction subsides.
B)   Gargle and rinse his mouth several times a day with a commercial mouthwash.
C)   Use cotton-tipped swabs dipped in hydrogen peroxide to clean his teeth.
D)   Avoid hot beverages.

Question 20

Which food is recommended by the National Cancer Institute to reduce a person's cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

A)   Potatoes
B)   Beets
C)   Celery
D)   Broccoli

Exam 17: Care of the Patient With Cancer