Oncology Flashcards
What 2 things should a woman not do prior to a Pap smear?
- Douche
2. No sex
When should a woman start getting a yearly mammogram?
40
When should people start getting a colonscopy?
Age 50 - every 10 years if normal
When should men start getting a yearly digital exam and PSA check?
50
What are 3 ways to prevent dislodgment of a internal radiation implant?
- Bedrest
- Decrease fiber – fiber distends abdomen making it easier for implant to dislodge
- Prevent bladder distention
Is it ok to use lotion on external radiation markings?
No - don’t wash them off either
How long should you protect an external radiation site from sun?
1 year after completion of therapy
What 2 things are done if extravasation (infiltration) occurs?
- Stop infusion
2. Vasoconstriction to prevent spreading - Ice packs
What are 3 signs of extravasation?
- Pain
- Swelling
- No blood return
What is the most important lab value for cancer patients?
Absolute neutrophil count
Slight increase in temperature of a cancer patient may mean ______.
Sepsis
What is the number one risk factor for cervical cancer?
HPV
What is the classic symptom of cervical cancer?
Painless vaginal bleeding
What are 4 other symptoms of cervical cancer?
- Flank pain
- Pelvic pain
- Leg pain along sciatic nerve
- Watery, blood tinged vaginal discharge
What are 6 ways to treat cervical cancer?
- Electrosurgical excision
- Laser
- Cryosurgery
- Radiation and chemo
- Conization (remove part of cervix)
- Hysterectomy
What is the major symptom of uterine cancer?
Postmenopausal bleeding
What are the 2 definitive diagnostic tests for uterine cancer?
- D&C
2. Endometrial biopsy
What are the 4 ways to treat uterine cancer?
- Hysterectomy
- Radiation
- Chemo
- Estrogen inhibitors
What is the greatest risk following a hysterectomy?
Hemorrhage
What is the major complication with a vaginal hysterectomy?
Infection
Why is it important to prevent abdominal distention after a hysterectomy?
We don’t want tension on the suture line
Why do you avoid high fowler’s for a postoperative hysterectomy patient?
Makes more blood go to the pelvis - R/F hemorrhage
What should you check after a breast surgery?
Bleeding - check dressings, back (pooling of blood), hemovac, and JP drains
Should you elevate the affected arm following breast surgery?
Yes
What are 8 symptoms of lung cancer?
- Hemoptysis
- Dyspnea
- Hoarseness
- Cough
- Change in endurance
- Chest pain
- Pleuritic pain on inspiration
- Displaced trachea
What are 5 ways to diagnose lung cancer?
- Bronchoscopy
- Sputum specimen
- Chest xray
- CT
- MRI
When is the best time to obtain a sputum specimen?
In the morning (have patient rinse mouth out first)
When should a woman start getting a breast exam?
Yearly: over 40
Every 3 years: 20-39
What are 3 ways to treat lung cancer?
- Surgery - remove the lump
- Lobectomy - remove a lobe; chest tubes present
- Pneumonectomy - remove lung; no chest tubes
How should you position a post-pneumonectomy patient?
Position on affected side (surgical side down, good lung up)
What are 2 ways to diagnose laryngeal cancer?
- Laryngeal exam
2. MRI
What type of surgery is performed for laryngeal cancer?
Total laryngectomy (removal of vocal cords, epiglottis, thyroid cartilage); patient will have permanent trach
How should you position a postop laryngectomy patient?
Mid-Fowler’s
How do you know if you stimulated the vagus nerve when suctioning a patient?
HR drops (if they were hypoxic their heart rate would increase)
What is the definitive diagnostic test for colorectal cancer?
Colonscopy
What are 7 symptoms of colorectal cancer?
- Change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, narrowing of stools)
- Blood in stool
- Cramping abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Unexplained weight loss
Can you take a rectal temperature on a patient who is immunocompromised, thrombocytopenic, or has an abdominoperineal resection?
No
What are 3 ways to treat colorectal cancer?
- Surgery - colectomy, abdominoperineal resection (remove colon, anus, and rectum)
- Chemo
- Radiation
What is the major symptom of bladder cancer?
Painless intermittent hematuria
What is the diagnostic test for bladder cancer?
Cystoscopy
How do you treat bladder cancer?
Surgery - remove all or part of the bladder
Is mucus normal following a urostomy?
Yes - bladder is made from part of the intestine; intestine makes mucus
When should you change the urostomy appliance?
In the morning - urine output is at it’s lowest then
What is the most common sign of prostate cancer?
Painless hematuria
What are 4 symptoms of prostate cancer?
- Hesitancy/frequency/urgency
- Dribbling
- Nocturia
- Frequent infections
What are 2 ways to diagnose prostate cancer?
- Lab work (PSA level and alkaline phosphatase increase)
2. Biopsy
What are 5 ways to treat prostate cancer?
- Watchful waiting
- Prostatectomy or TURP (not a cure)
- Radiation
- Chemo
- Hormone therapy
Should you manually irrigate a catheter with a fresh surgery client?
Not without a physician’s order
What 2 drugs are given for bladder spasms following a TURP?
- Belladonna and opium suppository
2. Oxybutynin (Ditropan)
What do you watch for when a catheter is removed from a TURP patient?
Urine retention
Why do you want your TURP patient to avoid sitting, driving, lifting, and strenuous exercise?
Causes bleeding
What are the 2 most common symptoms of stomach cancer?
- Heart burn
2. Abdominal discomfort
What are the 3 diagnostic tests for stomach cancer?
- Upper GI
- CT
- EGD
What are 3 ways to treat stomach cancer?
- Gastrectomy
- Chemo
- Radiation
What are 2 major complications following a gastrectomy?
- Dumping syndrome
2. Vitamin B12 deficient anemia (because pt has no stomach with intrinsic factor so they can’t absorb B12)
