Caring for Clients with Cancer

Question 1

alopecia

Answer 1

condition that affects the hair follicles and results in partial or total hair loss

Question 2

antineoplastic

Answer 2

type of drug used to treat cancer that works by interfering with cellular function and reproduction

Question 3

benign

Answer 3

type of tumor that is not invasive or spreading

Question 4

biologic response modifiers (BRMs)

Answer 4

alter the interaction between the immune defenses and cancer cells. This interaction serves to destroy or halt the growth of malignant cells. BRMs can be naturally occurring or genetically engineered (recombinant)

Question 5

brachytherapy

Answer 5

direct internal application of a high dose of radiation within a sealed source on or within a tumor

Question 6

cancer

Answer 6

a disease characterized by abnormal, disorganized cell proliferation

Question 7

carcinogenesis

Answer 7

process of malignant transformation and altering of the genetic structure of DNA within the cells

Question 8

carcinogens

Answer 8

factors or agents that contribute to the development of cancer

Question 9

chemotherapy

Answer 9

technique that uses antineoplastic agents to treat cancer cells locally and systemically

Question 10

engraftment

Answer 10

establishment of bone marrow that has been harvested and reinfused

Question 11

extravasation

Answer 11

leaking of an intravenously administered drug into surrounding tissues

Question 12

gene therapy

Answer 12

technique for fighting cancer that involves replacing altered genes with normal genes, inhibiting defective genes, or introducing substances that destroy defective genes or cancer cells

Question 13

leukopenia

Answer 13

decreased white blood cell count

Question 14

malignant

Answer 14

type of tumor that is invasive and capable of spreading

Question 15

metastasis

Answer 15

spreading of cancer cells to adjacent tissues, from lymph vessels into the tissues adjacent to lymphatic vessels, by transport from blood or lymph systems, or by diffusion within a body cavity

Question 16

myelosuppression

Answer 16

decreased bone marrow function

Question 17

neoplasms

Answer 17

new growths of abnormal tissue; also called tumors

Question 18

neutropenia

Answer 18

decreased neutrophils

Question 19

oncology nursing

Answer 19

nursing specialty related to the care of clients with cancer

Question 20

radiation therapy

Answer 20

technique that uses high-energy ionizing radiation, such as high-energy X-rays, gamma rays, and radioactive particles (alpha and beta particles, neutrons, and protons) to destroy cancer cells

Question 21

stomatitis

Answer 21

inflammation of the mouth

Question 22

targeted therapies

Answer 22

a type of therapy that uses the client’s own immune system to stimulate the body’s natural immunity to restrict and destroy cancer cells or involve receiving immune system components to do the same. Targeted therapy manipulates the natural immune response by restoring, modifying, stimulating, or augmenting the natural defenses

Question 23

thrombocytopenia

Answer 23

decreased platelet count

Question 24

tumor-specific antigens

Answer 24

unique proteins on cell surface of tumors; measurement helps to tract the extent of cancer as malignant cells mature and become less differentiated

Question 25

vesicants

Answer 25

intravenous medications that cause tissue necrosis if they infiltrate

Question 26

xerostomia

Answer 26

dryness of the mouth