Oncology

Question 1

What is the term used to describe a cell that is so immature you can’t tell where it came from?

Answer 1

Anaplasia

Question 2

What is cancer?

Answer 2

Over growth of malignancy cells that don’t stop dividing and destroy body tissue

Question 3

What is the biggest risk factor to cancer and the 2nd biggest?

Answer 3

Age; genetics

Question 4

What are benign tumors?

Answer 4

Noncancerous tumors that don’t spread, are easy to remove, and doesn’t cause harm or recur

Question 5

What are malignant tumors?

Answer 5

Cancerous tumors that spread, are hard to remove, and metastasis

Question 6

Primary prevention is what?

Answer 6

What you do before getting cancer

Question 7

Secondary prevention is what?

Answer 7

Detect cancer in an early stage to prevent progression

Question 8

What does CAUTION stand for that identifies the warning signs of cancer?

Answer 8

Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that doesn't heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness

Question 9

What type of radiation therapy is teletherapy?

Answer 9

Externally under a machine w/ a beam of radiation directed toward cancer

Question 10

What type of radiation therapy is brachytherapy?

Answer 10

Internally by an implant, needle, injection, or seed

Question 11

When a pt is receiving brachytherapy they are radioactive so what are 3 important things to consider?

Answer 11

Time spent w/ pt
Distance to pt
Shielding to protect skin

Question 12

What are the major side effects of radiation therapy?

Answer 12

Fatigue, anorexia and skin reactions @ entrance/exit sites

Question 13

If a pt is receiving teletherapy what should the care be for the radiation site?

Answer 13

No lotions, luke warm water, keep dry/clean, nothing that would rub the area

Question 14

What are the diff types of chemotherapeutic agents used?

Answer 14

Alkylating agents, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics and vinca alkyloids

Question 15

What are some alkylating agents?

Answer 15

Cyclophophamide (Cytoxan) and Cisplatin

Question 16

What is the major problem w/ Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)?

Answer 16

Hemorrhagic cystitis affecting the bladder

Question 17

What is the major problem of Cisplatin?

Answer 17

Emesis; nephrotoxic

Question 18

What are some important interventions for Cyclophosphamide?

Answer 18

HYDRATE, void/drink every hour and report burning/bleeding on urination

Question 19

What is important to check when pt is prescribed Cisplatin?

Answer 19

BUN/CRT

Question 20

What is an antimetabolite?

Answer 20

Methotrexate

Question 21

Methotrexate is what?

Answer 21

Folic acid inhibitor

Question 22

Bc Methotrexate is a folic acid inhibitor what should you give 12hrs after admin to help the normal cells get folic acid?

Answer 22

Leucovorin rescue

Question 23

What is a cytotoxic antibiotic?

Answer 23

Anthracyclines like Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Question 24

What is a problem w/ Anthracycline?

Answer 24

Cardio toxic causing damage to myoseal of heart

Question 25

Before admin of Anthracyclines what should be done?

Answer 25

Evaluate ejection fraction; assess for s/s of congestive heart failure

Question 26

What are vinca alkyloids?

Answer 26

Vincristine, Vinblastine

Question 27

What is the major prob w/ Vincristine?

Answer 27

Neurotoxic; look for tinging/numbness, peripheral neuropathy

Question 28

What is needed when admin chemotherapy to avoid harm?

Answer 28

Protective gear: mask, goggles, gown, chemotherapy type gloves

Question 29

What are 2 important assessments when checking for fluid overload?

Answer 29

Lung sounds and weight

Question 30

What is the term used to describe memory impairment, lack of concentration and other cognitive changes that decrease the quality of life and causes frustration and occurs when taking chemotherapy?

Answer 30

Chemo-brain

Question 31

What is the term used to describe each time a cell divides it comes a little more mature?

Answer 31

Differentiation

Question 32

Describe the process of carcinogenesis?

Answer 32

Initiation- irreversible damage to DNA Promotion- agents force expression of altered genetic code; reversible Progression- tumor behaves in a malignant uncontrolled fashion

Question 33

Cancer treatment involves what 3 things?

Answer 33

Cure- complete eradication Control- prolonged survival w/ disease Palliation- symptom relief

Question 34

What are the major side effects of chemotherapy?

Answer 34

Bone marrow suppression: neutro/thrombocytopenia/anemia

Question 35

What is the term used to describe sudden hair loss?

Answer 35

Alopecia

Question 36

What are some biological therapies?

Answer 36

Interleukins and interferons

Question 37

What's the #1 problem in all patients w/ cancer?

Answer 37

PAIN