ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 18 : Caring for Clients With Cancer Questions
Question 1 of 5
Chemotherapy has been used for the past 3 months to treat a client with pancreatic cancer. The CA 19-9 levels are rising. Which explanation would the nurse attribute as the most likely cause?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Elevation of specific tumor markers, such as CA 19-9, is indicative of progression and proliferation of the cancer cells. If the chemotherapy was successful in the treating of the pancreatic cancer cells, the tumor marker would be decreased. Increased production of antibody development is not a usual adverse reaction of chemotherapy.
Question 2 of 5
A bowel resection is scheduled for a client with the diagnosis of colon cancer with metastasis to the liver and bone. Which statement by the nurse best explains the purpose of the surgery?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Palliative surgeries, such as bowel resection, may be performed to promote comfort by relieving pain and pressure on organs within the abdominal cavity. Primary treatment refers to surgery that is likely to provide a cure, which is not likely in metastatic disease. With metastasis, primary tumor removal does not prevent further tumor growth in distant sites. The diagnosis of colon cancer with metastasis suggests cell pathology has already been determined.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a thyroid cancer client following oral radioactive iodine treatment. Which teaching point is most important?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iodine 131 is a systemic internal radiation that is excreted through body fluids, especially urine. Flushing the toilet several times after each use will avoid the exposure of others to radioactive exposure. Shielding the throat area is not effective because this form of treatment is systemic. Preparing food separately is not necessary, but the use of separate eating utensils will be necessary for the first 8 days.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for chemotherapy. Which is the best statement the nurse can make about the client experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alopecia associated with chemotherapy is usually temporary and will return after the therapy is completed. New hair growth may return unchanged, but there is no guarantee and color, texture, and quality of hair may not be changed. There is no correlation between chemotherapy and delay in greying of hair. Use of wigs, scarves, and head coverings can be used by clients at any time during treatment plan.
Question 5 of 5
A client diagnosed with cancer makes the following statement to the nurse: 'I guess I will tell my health care provider to forego the chemotherapy. I do not want to be throwing up all the time. I would rather die.' Which of the following facts supports the use of chemotherapy for this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chemotherapy is not one drug for all clients. The therapy can be specifically designed to optimize effects while limiting adverse effects with supplemental anti emetics to control the nausea and vomiting. It is true that nausea and vomiting are most prevalent in the first 24 hours after each chemotherapy treatment, but this fact does not eliminate the fears expressed by this client. No one can state the worth of any treatment, and a cure is never promised. Clinical trials open new options for treatment, but the process is lengthy and is not a certainty for a client in need of immediate treatment.