ONCOLOGY: Ignatavicius Ch 22: Care of Patients with Cancer

Question 1

A client in the oncology clinic reports her family is frustrated at her ongoing fatigue 4 months after radiation therapy for breast cancer. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Are you getting adequate rest and sleep each day?
b. It is normal to be fatigued even for years afterward.
c. This is not normal and Ill let the provider know.
d. Try adding more vitamins B and C to your diet.

Answer 1

b. It is normal to be fatigued even for years afterward.

Regardless of the cause, radiation-induced fatigue can be debilitating and may last for months or years after treatment has ended. Rest and adequate nutrition can affect fatigue, but it is most important that the client understands this is normal

Question 2

A client tells the oncology nurse about an upcoming vacation to the beach to celebrate completing radiation treatments for cancer. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Avoid getting salt water on the radiation site.
b. Do not expose the radiation area to direct sunlight.
c. Have a wonderful time and enjoy your vacation!
d. Remember you should not drink alcohol for a year.

Answer 2

b. Do not expose the radiation area to direct sunlight.

The skin overlying the radiation site is extremely sensitive to sunlight after radiation therapy has been completed. The nurse should inform the client to avoid sun exposure to this area. This advice continues for 1 year after treatment has been completed. The other statements are not appropriate.

Question 3

A client is receiving chemotherapy through a peripheral IV line. What action by the nurse is most important?

a. Assessing the IV site every hour
b. Educating the client on side effects
c. Monitoring the client for nausea
d. Providing warm packs for comfort

Answer 3

a. Assessing the IV site every hour

Intravenous chemotherapy can cause local tissue destruction if it extravasates into the surrounding tissues. Peripheral IV lines are more prone to this than centrally placed lines. The most important intervention is prevention, so the nurse should check hourly to ensure the IV site is patent, or frequently depending on facility policy. Education and monitoring for side effects such as nausea are important for all clients receiving chemotherapy. Warm packs may be helpful for comfort, but if the client reports that an IV site is painful, the nurse needs to assess further.

Question 4

A client with cancer is admitted to a short-term rehabilitation facility. The nurse prepares to administer the clients oral chemotherapy medications. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Crush the medications if the client cannot swallow them.
b. Give one medication at a time with a full glass of water.
c. No special precautions are needed for these medications.
d. Wear personal protective equipment when handling the medications.

Answer 4

d. Wear personal protective equipment when handling the medications.

During the administration of oral chemotherapy agents, nurses must take the same precautions that are used when administering IV chemotherapy. This includes using personal protective equipment. These medications cannot be crushed, split, or chewed. Giving one at a time is not needed.

Question 5

The nurse working with oncology clients understands that which age-related change increases the older clients susceptibility to infection during chemotherapy?

a. Decreased immune function
b. Diminished nutritional stores
c. Existing cognitive deficits
d. Poor physical reserves

Answer 5

a. Decreased immune function

As people age, there is an age-related decrease in immune function, causing the older adult to be more susceptible to infection than other clients. Not all older adults have diminished nutritional stores, cognitive dysfunction, or poor physical reserves.

Question 6

After receiving the hand-off report, which client should the oncology nurse see first? a. Client who is afebrile with a heart rate of 108 beats/min

b. Older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes
c. Client who is neutropenic and in protective isolation
d. Client scheduled for radiation therapy today

Answer 6

b. Older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes

Older clients often do not exhibit classic signs of infection, and often mental status changes are the first observation. Clients on chemotherapy who become neutropenic also often do not exhibit classic signs of infection. The nurse should assess the older client first. The other clients can be seen afterward.

Question 7

A client has a platelet count of 9800/mm3. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Assess the client for calf pain, warmth, and redness.
b. Instruct the client to call for help to get out of bed.
c. Obtain cultures as per the facilitys standing policy.
d. Place the client on protective isolation precautions.

Answer 7

b. Instruct the client to call for help to get out of bed.

A client with a platelet count this low is at high risk for serious bleeding episodes. To prevent injury, the client should be instructed to call for help prior to getting out of bed. Calf pain, warmth, and redness might indicate a deep vein thrombosis, not associated with low platelets. Cultures and isolation relate to low white cell counts.

Question 8

A client hospitalized for chemotherapy has a hemoglobin of 6.1 mg/dL. What medication should the nurse prepare to administer?

a. Epoetin alfa (Epogen)
b. Filgrastim (Neupogen)
c. Mesna (Mesnex)
d. Oprelvekin (Neumega)

Answer 8

a. Epoetin alfa (Epogen)

The clients hemoglobin is low, so the nurse should prepare to administer epoetin alfa, a colony-stimulating factor that increases production of red blood cells. Filgrastim is for neutropenia. Mesna is used to decrease bladder toxicity from some chemotherapeutic agents. Oprelvekin is used to increase platelet count.

Question 9

A nurse works with clients who have alopecia from chemotherapy. What action by the nurse takes priority?

a. Helping clients adjust to their appearance
b. Reassuring clients that this change is temporary
c. Referring clients to a reputable wig shop
d. Teaching measures to prevent scalp injury

Answer 9

d. Teaching measures to prevent scalp injury

All of the actions are appropriate for clients with alopecia. However, the priority is client safety, so the nurse should first teach ways to prevent scalp injury.

Question 10

A client is receiving interleukins along with chemotherapy. What assessment by the nurse takes priority?

a. Blood pressure
b. Lung assessment
c. Oral mucous membranes
d. Skin integrity

Answer 10

a. Blood pressure

Interleukins can cause capillary leak syndrome and fluid shifting, leading to intravascular volume depletion. Although all assessments are important in caring for clients with cancer, blood pressure and other assessments of fluid status take priority.

Question 11

A client is receiving rituximab (Rituxan) and asks how it works. What response by the nurse is best?

a. It causes rapid lysis of the cancer cell membranes.
b. It destroys the enzymes needed to create cancer cells.
c. It prevents the start of cell division in the cancer cells.
d. It sensitizes certain cancer cells to chemotherapy.

Answer 11

c. It prevents the start of cell division in the cancer cells.

Rituxan prevents the initiation of cancer cell division. The other statements are not accurate.

Question 12

A nurse is assessing a female client who is taking progestins. What assessment finding requires the nurse to notify the provider immediately?

a. Irregular menses
b. Edema in the lower extremities
c. Ongoing breast tenderness
d. Red, warm, swollen calf

Answer 12

d. Red, warm, swollen calf

All clients receiving progestin therapy are at risk for thromboembolism. A red, warm, swollen calf is a manifestation of deep vein thrombosis and should be reported to the provider. Irregular menses, edema in the lower extremities, and breast tenderness are common side effects of the therapy.

Question 13

A client with a history of prostate cancer is in the clinic and reports new onset of severe low back pain. What action by the nurse is most important?

a. Assess the clients gait and balance.
b. Ask the client about the ease of urine flow.
c. Document the report completely.
d. Inquire about the clients job risks.

Answer 13

a. Assess the clients gait and balance.

This client has manifestations of spinal cord compression, which can be seen with prostate cancer. This may affect both gait and balance and urinary function. For client safety, assessing gait and balance is the priority. Documentation should be complete. The client may or may not have occupational risks for low back pain, but with his history of prostate cancer, this should not be where the nurse starts investigating.

Question 14

The nurse has taught a client with cancer ways to prevent infection. What statement by the client indicates that more teaching is needed?

a. I should take my temperature daily and when I dont feel well.
b. I will wash my toothbrush in the dishwasher once a week.
c. I wont let anyone share any of my personal items or dishes.
d. Its alright for me to keep my pets and change the litter box.

Answer 14

d. Its alright for me to keep my pets and change the litter box.

Clients should wash their hands after touching their pets and should not empty or scoop the cat litter box. The other statements are appropriate for self-management.

Question 15

A nurse working with clients who experience alopecia knows that which is the best method of helping clients manage the psychosocial impact of this problem?

a. Assisting the client to pre-plan for this event
b. Reassuring the client that alopecia is temporary
c. Teaching the client ways to protect the scalp
d. Telling the client that there are worse side effects

Answer 15

a. Assisting the client to pre-plan for this event

Alopecia does not occur for all clients who have cancer, but when it does, it can be devastating. The best action by the nurse is to teach the client about the possibility and to give the client multiple choices for preparing for this event. Not all clients will have the same reaction, but some possible actions the client can take are buying a wig ahead of time, buying attractive hats and scarves, and having a hairdresser modify a wig to look like the clients own hair. Teaching about scalp protection is important but does not address the psychosocial impact. Reassuring the client that hair loss is temporary and telling him or her that there are worse side effects are both patronizing and do not give the client tools to manage this condition.

Question 16

A client is admitted with superior vena cava syndrome. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Administer a dose of allopurinol (Aloprim).
b. Assess the clients serum potassium level.
c. Gently inquire about advance directives.
d. Prepare the client for emergency surgery.

Answer 16

c. Gently inquire about advance directives.

Superior vena cava syndrome is often a late-stage manifestation. After the client is stabilized and comfortable, the nurse should initiate a conversation about advance directives. Allopurinol is used for tumor lysis syndrome. Potassium levels are important in tumor lysis syndrome, in which cell destruction leads to large quantities of potassium being released into the bloodstream. Surgery is rarely done for superior vena cava syndrome.

Question 17

A client is having a catheter placed in the femoral artery to deliver yttrium-90 beads into a liver tumor. What action by the nurse is most important?

a. Assessing the clients abdomen beforehand
b. Ensuring that informed consent is on the chart
c. Marking the clients bilateral pedal pulses
d. Reviewing client teaching done previously

Answer 17

b. Ensuring that informed consent is on the chart

This is an invasive procedure requiring informed consent. The nurse should ensure that consent is on the chart. The other actions are also appropriate but not the priority.

Question 18

A nurse works on an oncology unit and delegates personal hygiene to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). What action by the UAP requires intervention from the nurse?

a. Allowing a very tired client to skip oral hygiene and sleep
b. Assisting clients with washing the perianal area every 12 hours
c. Helping the client use a soft-bristled toothbrush for oral care
d. Reminding the client to rinse the mouth with water or saline

Answer 18

a. Allowing a very tired client to skip oral hygiene and sleep

Even though clients may be tired, they still need to participate in hygiene to help prevent infection. The other options are all appropriate.

Question 19

A client with cancer has anorexia and mucositis, and is losing weight. The clients family members continually bring favorite foods to the client and are distressed when the client wont eat them. What action by the nurse is best?

a. Explain the pathophysiologic reasons behind the client not eating.
b. Help the family show other ways to demonstrate love and caring.
c. Suggest foods and liquids the client might be willing to try to eat.
d. Tell the family the client isnt able to eat now no matter what they bring.

Answer 19

b. Help the family show other ways to demonstrate love and caring.

Families often become distressed when their loved ones wont eat. Providing food is a universal sign of caring, and to some people the refusal to eat signifies worsening of the condition. The best option for the nurse is to help the family find other ways to demonstrate caring and love, because with treatment-related anorexia and mucositis, the client is not likely to eat anything right now. Explaining the rationale for the problem is a good idea but does not suggest to the family anything that they can do for the client. Simply telling the family the client is not able to eat does not give them useful information and is dismissive of their concerns.

Question 20

A client in the emergency department reports difficulty breathing. The nurse assesses the clients appearance as depicted below:
What action by the nurse is the priority?
a. Assess blood pressure and pulse.
b. Attach the client to a pulse oximeter.
c. Have the client rate his or her pain.
d. Start high-dose steroid therapy.

Answer 20

a. Assess blood pressure and pulse.

This client has superior vena cava syndrome, in which venous return from the head, neck, and trunk is blocked. Decreased cardiac output can occur. The nurse should assess indicators of cardiac output, including blood pressure and pulse, as the priority. The other actions are also appropriate but are not the priority.

Question 21

The student nurse caring for clients who have cancer understands that the general consequences of cancer include which client problems? (Select all that apply.)

a. Clotting abnormalities from thrombocythemia
b. Increased risk of infection from white blood cell deficits
c. Nutritional deficits such as early satiety and cachexia
d. Potential for reduced gas exchange
e. Various motor and sensory deficits

Answer 21

b. Increased risk of infection from white blood cell deficits
c. Nutritional deficits such as early satiety and cachexia
d. Potential for reduced gas exchange
e. Various motor and sensory deficits

The general consequences of cancer include reduced immunity and blood-producing functions, altered GI structure and function, decreased respiratory function, and motor and sensory deficits. Clotting problems often occur due to thrombocytopenia (not enough platelets), not thrombocythemia (too many platelets).

Question 22

A nurse is preparing to administer IV chemotherapy. What supplies does this nurse need? (Select all that apply.)

a. Chemo gloves
b. Facemask
c. Isolation gown
d. N95 respirator
e. Shoe covers

Answer 22

a. Chemo gloves
b. Facemask
c. Isolation gown

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Oncology Nurses Society have developed safety guidelines for those preparing or administering IV chemotherapy. These include double gloves (or chemo gloves), a facemask, and a gown. An N95 respirator and shoe covers are not required.

Question 23

A client on interferon therapy is reporting severe skin itching and irritation. What actions does the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)

a. Apply moisturizers to dry skin.
b. Apply steroid creams to the skin.
c. Bathe the client using mild soap.
d. Help the client with a hot water bath.
e. Teach the client to avoid sunlight.

Answer 23

a. Apply moisturizers to dry skin.
c. Bathe the client using mild soap.

The nurse can delegate applying unscented moisturizer and using mild soap for bathing. Steroid creams are not used for this condition. Hot water will worsen the irritation. Client teaching is a nursing function.

Question 24

A client has thrombocytopenia. What actions does the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)

a. Apply the clients shoes before getting the client out of bed.
b. Assist the client with ambulation.
c. Shave the client with a safety razor only.
d. Use a lift sheet to move the client up in bed.
e. Use the Waterpik on a low setting for oral care.

Answer 24

a. Apply the clients shoes before getting the client out of bed.
b. Assist the client with ambulation.
d. Use a lift sheet to move the client up in bed.

Clients with thrombocytopenia are at risk of significant bleeding even with minor injuries. The nurse instructs the UAP to put the clients shoes on before getting the client out of bed, assist with ambulation, shave the client with an electric razor, use a lift sheet when needed to reposition the client, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush for oral care.

Question 25

A client has mucositis. What actions by the nurse will improve the clients nutrition? (Select all that apply.)

a. Assist with rinsing the mouth with saline frequently.
b. Encourage the client to eat room-temperature foods.
c. Give the client hot liquids to hold in the mouth.
d. Provide local anesthetic medications to swish and spit. e. Remind the client to brush teeth gently after each meal.

Answer 25

a. Assist with rinsing the mouth with saline frequently.
b. Encourage the client to eat room-temperature foods.
d. Provide local anesthetic medications to swish and spit. e. Remind the client to brush teeth gently after each meal.

Mucositis can interfere with nutrition. The nurse can help with rinsing the mouth frequently with water or saline; encouraging the client to eat cool, slightly warm, or room-temperature foods; providing swish-and-spit anesthetics; and reminding the client to keep the mouth clean by brushing gently after each meal. Hot liquids would be painful for the client.

Question 26

A clients family members are concerned that telling the client about a new finding of cancer will cause extreme emotional distress. They approach the nurse and ask if this can be kept from the client. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

a. Ask the family to describe their concerns more fully.
b. Consult with a social worker, chaplain, or ethics committee.
c. Explain the clients right to know and ask for their assistance.
d. Have the unit manager take over the care of this client and family.
e. Tell the family that this secret will not be kept from the client.

Answer 26

a. Ask the family to describe their concerns more fully.
b. Consult with a social worker, chaplain, or ethics committee.
c. Explain the clients right to know and ask for their assistance.

The clients right of autonomy means that the client must be fully informed as to his or her diagnosis and treatment options. The nurse cannot ethically keep this information from the client. The nurse can ask the family to explain their concerns more fully so everyone understands the concerns. A social worker, chaplain, or ethics committee can become involved to assist the nurse, client, and family. The nurse should explain the clients right to know and ask the family how best to proceed. The nurse should not abdicate responsibility for this difficult situation by transferring care to another nurse. Simply telling the family that he or she will not keep this secret sets up an adversarial relationship. Explaining this fact along with the concept of autonomy would be acceptable, but this by itself is not.

Question 27

A client receiving chemotherapy has a white blood cell count of 1000/mm3. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

a. Assess all mucous membranes every 4 to 8 hours.
b. Do not allow the client to eat meat or poultry.
c. Listen to lung sounds and monitor for cough.
d. Monitor the venous access device appearance with vital signs.
e. Take and record vital signs every 4 to 8 hours.

Answer 27

a. Assess all mucous membranes every 4 to 8 hours.
c. Listen to lung sounds and monitor for cough.
d. Monitor the venous access device appearance with vital signs.
e. Take and record vital signs every 4 to 8 hours.

Depending on facility protocol, the nurse should assess this client for infection every 4 to 8 hours by assessing all mucous membranes, listening to lung sounds, monitoring for cough, monitoring the appearance of the venous access device, and recording vital signs. Eating meat and poultry is allowed.