Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
Which cancers commonly metastasize to the brain?
A
breast and lung
2
Q
Which cancers commonly will metastasize to the lungs?
A
bladder, breast, lung (other lung), colon, ovary, pancreas, prostate, and uterus
3
Q
Which cancers commonly metastasize to the peritoneum?
A
colon, ovary, pancreas, and uterus
4
Q
What ratio of men will get cancer in their lifetime? And women?
A
1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women
5
Q
Why do geriatric patients get diagnosed with cancer in later stages more often?
A
cancer symptoms are often attributed to old age
6
Q
7 warning signs of cancer (CAUTION)
A
Change in bowel/bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge from any body orifice
Thickening or a lump in the breast or anywhere else
Indigestion or trouble swallowing
Obvious change in wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness
7
Q
What are examples of primary prevention of cancer?
A
Decrease/eliminate exposure to carcinogens
Healthy diet
Exercise
Alcohol in moderation
Limit UV exposure (Sun/tanning beds)
8
Q
What are examples of secondary prevention for cancer?
A
inspection, palpation, screening
9
Q
What are the 3 goals of cancer treatment?
A
cure, control, palliation
10
Q
What are 4 ways that cancer can be treated?
A
surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy
11
Q
What staging system is used for cancers?
A
TNM
12
Q
Most common cancer site for women
A
Breast
13
Q
Most common cancer site for men
A
Prostate
14
Q
Which cancer causes the most deaths for men and women?
A
lung
15
Q
Which type of lung cancer attributes to 80% of lung cancer deaths?
A
non-small cell lung cancer
16
Q
What are the 5 main risk factors for lung cancer?
A
smoking, pollution, radiation exposure, asbestos exposure, exposure to industrial agents
17
Q
Early manifestations of lung cancer
A
persistent cough, blood tinged sputum, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain
18
Q
Late manifestations of lung cancer
A
anorexia, fatigue, weight loss
19
Q
What can an Xray visualize in a patient with cancer?
A
masses
20
Q
What can a CT scan be used for in a patient with cancer?
A
location, lymph node enlargement, and involvement in other regions
21
Q
What do an MRI, PET, Bone scan, CBC, and CMP assist in identifying in a cancer patient?
A
staging
22
Q
What is the best cure for non small cell lung cancer?
A
surgical resection (stage I-IIIA only)
23
Q
Risk factors for colorectal cancer
A
diet, lifestyle, history of IBD, heredity
24
Q
Clinical manifestations of colorectal cancer
A
anemia, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, tenesmus
25
What are diagnostic tests used for colorectal cancer?
flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, CEA, FOBT
26
Which chemotherapies are often used to treat colorectal cancer?
5FU, Oxaliplatin
27
Which targeted therapies are often used to treat colorectal cancer?
Avastin, Erbitux
28
What is the largest risk factor for breast cancer in women?
age
29
Which ethnicity is at the highest risk for development of breast cancer?
African-American women
30
Why would a patient with and early menarche or late menopause be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer?
Prolonged exposure to unopposed estrogen
31
Clinical manifestations of early breast cancer
Skin changes, lumps, nipple discharge
32
What are clinical manifestations of metastatic breast cancer?
dyspnea, pain in back, confusion/altered LOC
33
What are the diagnostic tests used for breast cancer?
Mammography, U/S, Biopsy, HER2/hormone receptor status
34
Common chemotherapies used in breast cancer
cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, doxorubucin, paclitaxel
35
What are common treatments for hormone therapy in breast cancer patients?
tamoxifen, anastrazole, trastuzmab
36
What is the most common gynecologic cancer?
endometrial cancer
37
What are the 6 biggest risk factors for endometrial cancer?
Estrogen (unopposed)
Age
Nulliparity
Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes
38
What are common clinical manifestations of endometrial cancer?
abnormal uterine bleeding, pain
39
What is the second most common gynecologic cancer?
ovarian cancer
40
What are the 6 main risk factors for ovarian cancer?
BRCA gene
Nulliparity
Early menarche, late menopause
Obesity
Family history
Age
41
Clinical manifestations of ovarian cancer
Vague symptoms
Abdominal pain or bloating
Changes to bowel or bladder
Early satiety
Weight loss or weight gain
Menstrual changes
42
What are the 6 common risk factors for cervical cancer?
Exposure to Human Papillomavirus (esp types 16 & 18)
Multiple sexual partners or partner with multiple sex partners
Early age of first intercourse
Smoking tobacco
Low SES status
Untreated chronic cervical infections
STDs
43
What are common manifestations of cervical cancer (6)?
Dysplastic changes are asymptomatic
Leukorrhea & bleeding
Pain
Bowel or bladder changes
Weight loss
Anemia
44
What are the diagnostic tests used for cervical cancer?
pap smear, colposcopy, and biopsy
45
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
Age
Ethnicity
Family History
Diet high in red meat and high fat dairy, low intake vegetables
Occupational (fertilizer, textile, & rubber industries)
46
What are the clinical manifestations of prostate cancer?
Asymptomatic in early stages
Urinary changes
Pain in lumbosacral area (metastases)
47
What are the diagnostic tests used for prostate cancer?
PSA testing (risk vs benefit)
DRE
Transrectal resection of prostate (biopsy)
MRI/CT (metastases)
48
What is the post surgical care for a prostate cancer patient?
catheter with a 3 way foley
perineal care
49
What are complications with prostate cancer surgery?
Hemorrhage, DVT, PE, infection
ED
Urinary incontinence
50
what is an adverse side effect of bone marrow suppression?
pancytopenia
51
What are 7 of the most common oncologic side effects?
Bone marrow suppression, fatigue, GI issues, integumentary issues, reproductive issues, pain, respiratory/hepatic/renal toxicities
52
What are common GI issues experienced with cancer?
nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis, anorexia
53
What are common integumentary side effects of oncologic treatment?
radiation, chemotherapy, alopecia, post-surgical issues
54
What is an oncologic emergency?
Acute condition that is caused by cancer or its treatment, requiring rapid intervention to avoid death or severe permanent damage
55
When is superior vena cava syndrome most common?
in NHL, breast, and lung cancer
56
What are common symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome?
HA, facial/periorbital edema, vein distention in the head/neck/chest
57
What are treatments for superior vena cava syndrome?
radiation to reduce tumor size, thrombolytic, steroids
58
What are nursing considerations for superior vena cava syndrome?
elevate HOB, O2, weights, ADLs
59
What is superior vena cava syndrome?
A partial block of the superior vena cava
60
When is spinal cord compression most commonly seen?
breast, lung, prostate, GI, renal cancers, and melanomas
61
What are common symptoms of spinal cord compression?
change in bowel/bladder, intense pain in the back, motor dysfunction/weakness (change in sensation)
62
What are treatments for spinal cord compression?
MRI/CT, steroids, radiation, and chemotherapy
63
What are nursing considerations for spinal cord compression?
spinal precautions/pain management
64
When is hypercalcemia most commonly seen?
MM, advanced metastatic cancers
65
What are common symptoms of hypercalcemia?
apathy, confusion, depression, fatigue, ECG changes, muscle weakness, anorexia, n/v
66
What are treatments for Ca greater than 12 mg/dL?
IV fluids, biphosphonate therapy, diuretics
67
What are nursing management strategies for hypercalcemia?
safety precautions, monitor labs, and increase mobility
68
When is SIADH most commonly seen?
SCLC, GI cancers, brain, esophagus, and ovarian cancers
69
What are symptoms of SIADH?
weight gain, weakness, alteration in reflexes, confusion, oliguria, and coma
70
What are treatments for SIADH?
treat underlying cause, correct electrolytes, 3% NaCl, fluid restriction
71
What are the nursing management strategies for SIADH?
seizure precautions, safety management, and education
72
When is tumor lysis syndrome most commonly seen?
leukemia, lymphoma, and bulky tumors
73
What are the labs commonly seen in a patient with tumor lysis syndrome?
High uric acid, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia
74
What are common symptoms experienced with tumor lysis?
muscle cramps, n/v, diarrhea, weakness
75
What are common treatments for tumor lysis syndrome?
allopurinol, treat electrolyte abnormalities, and IV fluids
76
What is are the nursing management strategies for tumor lysis syndrome?
serial labs and education for the patient
77
When is DIC most commonly seen?
leukemia, pancreatic, ovarian, lung, breast, prostate, sepsis/infection
78
What are common labs seen with DIC?
prolonged PT/PTT/INR
Decreased fibrinogen/platelets
Increased D-dimer
79
What are common symptoms of DIC?
bleeding, petechiae, tachycardia, low SaO2
80
What are the treatments for DIC?
treat underlying cause, FFP, possible heparin infusion
81
What is the nursing management for DIC?
bleeding precautions and supplemental O2
82
Symptoms commonly seen in septic patients
hypotension, alteration in temp, hi/low WBC count, chills, confusion
83
Treatments for sepsis
IV abx, IV fluids, manage BP
84
What is the nursing management for a septic patient?
frequent vital signs, protective precautions, patient education, obtain ABG, labs, and CXR
85
What are the 3 stages of cancer survivorship?
acute, extended, and permanent
86
What is the acute stage of survivorship?
time of diagnosis through end of treatment
87
What is the extended stage of survivorship?
Begins when patient starts to respond to treatment
Fewer appointments with medical professionals
Physical, emotional, psychologic side effects of treatment
88
What happens in the permanent stage of survivorship?
late effects of disease/treatment and celebrate recovery
89
What features of cancer cells distinguish them from normal cells?
Cells lack contact inhibition, Cells return to a previous undifferentiated state, New proteins characteristic of embryonic stage emerge on cell membrane
90
A characteristic of the stage of progression in cancer development is
proliferation of cancer cells despite host control mechanisms
91
The primary protective role of the immune system related to malignant cells is
surveillance for cells with tumor-associated antigens
92
The nurse is caring for a 59-year-old woman who had surgery 1 day ago to remove an ovarian cancer 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
let her communicate about the meaning of this experience
93
The goals of cancer treatment are based on the principle that
a combination of treatment modalities is effective for controlling many cancers
94
The most effective method of administering a chemotherapy agent that is a vesicant is to
use a central venous access device
95
The nurse explains to a patient undergoing brachytherapy of the cervix that she
requires the use of radioactive precautions during nursing care
96
To prevent fever and shivering during an infusion of rituximab (Rituxan), the nurse should premedicate the patient with
acetaminophen
97
The nurse counsels the patient receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy that
nausea and vomiting can usually be managed with antiemetic drugs, diet modification, and other interventions
98
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 intervention would be a priority?
Have the patient try various spices and seasonings to enhance the flavor of food.
99
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 reports nausea and constipation. Which complication of cancer is this most likely caused by?
Hypercalcemia
100
A patient has recently been diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer. What is most appropriate for the nurse to focus on?
Maintaining the patient’s hope
