ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 18 : Caring for Clients With Cancer Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is invited to present a teaching program to parents of school-age children. Which topic would be of greatest value for decreasing cancer risks?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pool and water safety as well as infection prevention are important teaching topics but will not decrease cancer risk. While performing breast and testicular self-exams may identify cancers in the early stage, this teaching is not usually initiated in school-age children. Severe sunburns that occur in young children can place the child at risk for skin cancers later in life. Because children spend much time out of doors, the use of sunscreen and protective clothing/hats can protect the skin and decrease the risk.
Question 2 of 5
A client with a 4-cm breast mass is scheduled for biopsy with frozen section followed by lumpectomy and possible mastectomy. The client asks the nurse, 'Why can't the doctor tell me specifically whether I will need to have my entire breast removed'? Which is the best response from the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Although experienced surgeons can often predict the type of tumor upon opening, seeing the tumor does not determine presence or absence of cancer cells. The client may be anxious about upcoming surgery, but this response does not address the question posed by the client. Trusting the surgeon is important, but this response is not appropriate for the question asked. A frozen section during surgery allows the pathologist to quickly examine the tissue under microscope allowing the surgeon to make a decision for best surgical approach.
Question 3 of 5
A client is recovering from a craniotomy with tumor debulking. Which comment by the client indicates to the nurse a correct understanding of what the surgery entailed?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Debulking is a reference made when a tumor cannot be completely removed, often due to its extension far into healthy tissue. Without complete removal, this is not a cure and, the cancer cells will continue to replicate and require adjuvant therapies to prevent further invasion. The physician, not the nurse, will need to clarify the details of the surgery.
Question 4 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 5 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.