Week 1: Oncology nursing 1

Question 1

Epidemiology (4)

Answer 1

refers to the study of factors that may affect the health and illness of populations.

Question 2

prevalence

Answer 2

The measurement of all cancer cases at a particular time
Number of persons with cancer at a given point in time / Total population living at that time

Question 3

incidence

Answer 3

The number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in a specified period of time in a defined population
Number of persons developing cancer in a specified period of time/Total population living at that time

Question 4

mortality

Answer 4

The number of deaths attributed to cancer in a specified time period and in a defined population
Number of persons dying of cancer in a specified period of time/total population at time

Question 5

survival

Answer 5

The proportion of cancer patients who are alive at a certain time after diagnosis, usually in terms of a 5 year survival rate. Survival analysis is the observation over time of persons with cancer and the calculation of their probability of dying over several time periods (for example, 5 or 10 year survival rates).

Question 6

Cancer

Answer 6

disease where abnormal cells divide and multiply in an uncontrolled way

Question 7

POST MITOTIC / PRE SYNTHESIS PHASE

Answer 7

which cells
start to make enzymes for DNA synthesis and
prepare for entry into the S phase.

Question 8

SYNTHESIS

Answer 8

cells start replicates chromosomal DNA. Results in pairs of chromatid

Question 9

POST SYNTHETIC / PRE MITOTIC
PHASE

Answer 9

growth and preparation for mitosis

Question 10

MITOSIS

Answer 10

Cell division occurs

Question 11

Go (RESTING) PHASE

Answer 11

cells are not actively dividing

Question 12

The growth fraction

Answer 12

is the ratio of the total number of cells to the number of dividing cells. As a rule, the higher the growth fraction, the more rapidly tumour mass increases.

Question 13

Doubling time

Answer 13

is the time taken for the tumour to double its volume; the average time for most solid tumours being 2-3 months. Tumours are usually not clinically detectable until they have doubled around 30 times

Question 14

Gompertzian Tumour Growth Curve

Answer 14

which describes the decrease in cell doubling time as tumour progression occurs

Question 15

‘intravasate’ and ‘extravasate.’

Answer 15

This means that cancer cells have the ability to enter and leave the circulatory and lymphatic systems

Question 16

metastasis

Answer 16

Tumour initiation
Progression
Proliferation
Angiogenesis
Invasion / Intravasation
Extravasation
Colony Formation
Evasion of host defenses

Question 17

Physical / behavioural responses following diagnosis include:

Answer 17

Sleep disturbance
Appetite changes
Altered sexual interest
Headaches
Heart Palpitations
Feeling ‘stressed’ and ‘on edge’
Wanting to be around others/ social withdrawal
Substance use / abuse

Question 18

clinical distress

Answer 18

Disease status
Treatment tolerance
Symptom intensity
Symptom intensity and frequency
Lifestyle effects of symptom intensity and frequency
Quality of life

Question 19

Psychosocial Problems

Answer 19

ajustment disorders to illness and/or changes in care
Feelings of isolation from family
Family conflict
Decreased quality of life
Decisions surrounding advanced directives
Abuse/neglect
Coping difficulties
Mental health issues
Disturbances in body image
Sexual problems
Difficulty in dealing with grief and/or end of life
Cultural barriers
Inadequate caregiver support

Question 20

treatment

Answer 20

Education materials
Support and education groups
Resource lists (interdisciplinary referrals)
Community resources
Relationship counseling
Patient counseling / psychotherapy / +/- Medication
Family counseling / psychotherapy
Sexual counseling
Grief counseling

Question 21

practical

Answer 21

Transportation issues and parking costs
Transport and accommodation for rural families receiving treatment at a venue far from their home
Financial issues
Occupational problems
School problems
Food/clothing problems
Assistance with daily routine
Cultural barriers
Identifying caregiver and family resources

Question 22

treatment

Answer 22

Education
Support groups
Resource lists of available supports
Counselling for patients and families
Arranging support from community agencies
Instruction or problem solving

Question 23

Supportive care

Answer 23

embraces the full range of issues that emerge for an individual as the impact of cancer and treatment are felt and the person tries to deal with the situation. Sensitive care is required to help the individual cope with what is happening and maintain or improve that person’s quality of life.

Question 24

Supportive care key principles

Answer 24

A person centered (and family centered) approach to care
A system wide and team approach
Developing and supporting the workforce
Maintaining a focus on quality of care through providing evidence-based protocols and processes
monitoring progress and outcomes through medical record audit, benchmarking and peer review
Population-based planning

Question 25

barriers

Answer 25

they do not have access to care
they lack either health insurance
stigma
patient–provider miscommunication
inexperience with assessment for psychosocial distress and rapid screening tools
a lack of provider familiarity with community resources