ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is creating a plan of care for an oncology patient and one of the identified nursing diagnoses is risk for infection related to myelosuppression. What intervention addresses the leading cause of infection- related death in oncology patients?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Assess the integrity of the patients oral mucosa regularly. Myelosuppression leads to decreased white blood cells, increasing infection risk. The oral mucosa can be a common site for infections. Regular assessment helps in early detection and intervention. A: Encouraging small meals does not directly address infection risk in myelosuppressed patients. B: Providing skin care is important for overall patient care but does not directly address the leading cause of infection-related death. C: Assisting with hygiene is important but does not specifically target the leading cause of infection-related death in oncology patients.
Question 2 of 5
A 54-year-old has a diagnosis of breast cancer and is tearfully discussing her diagnosis with the nurse. The patient states, They tell me my cancer is malignant, while my coworkers breast tumor was benign. I just dont understand at all. When preparing a response to this patient, the nurse should be cognizant of what characteristic that distinguishes malignant cells from benign cells of the same tissue type?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Different molecular structure in the cells. Malignant cells have alterations in their molecular structure, leading to uncontrolled growth and invasion of surrounding tissues, while benign cells retain their normal molecular structure and do not invade nearby tissues. This distinction is crucial in understanding why malignant cells are cancerous and pose a greater risk compared to benign cells. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Slow rate of mitosis of cancer cells - Malignant cells actually have a rapid rate of mitosis, contributing to their uncontrolled growth. B: Different proteins in the cell membrane - While there may be differences in proteins, the molecular structure is a more fundamental difference between malignant and benign cells. C: Differing size of the cells - Cell size alone is not a definitive characteristic that distinguishes between malignant and benign cells; molecular structure plays a more significant role.
Question 3 of 5
You are caring for a patient who has just been told that her stage IV colon cancer has recurred and metastasized to the liver. The oncologist offers the patient the option of surgery to treat the progression of this disease. What type of surgery does the oncologist offer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Palliative surgery. In this scenario, the patient's colon cancer has already progressed to stage IV with metastasis to the liver, indicating an advanced and incurable condition. Palliative surgery aims to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and prolong survival without aiming for a cure. Reconstructive surgery (B) is typically done to restore form or function, which is not the primary goal in this case. Salvage surgery (C) is usually performed to rescue a situation where initial treatment has failed, which is not the case here. Prophylactic surgery (D) is preventive and is not appropriate in a situation where cancer is already present and advanced.
Question 4 of 5
The hospice nurse has just admitted a new patient to the program. What principle guides hospice care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because hospice care is centered on a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of both the patient and their family. This principle recognizes that caring for a terminally ill patient involves supporting the entire family unit. Choice B is incorrect because family support is integral to hospice care. Choice C is incorrect because hospice care extends beyond just the patient to include their loved ones. Choice D is incorrect because the care team should address all aspects of care for both the patient and their family, not prioritize one over the other.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse who works in the specialty of palliative care frequently encounters issues and situations that constitute ethical dilemmas. What issue has most often presented challenging ethical issues, especially in the context of palliative care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ability of technology to prolong life beyond meaningful quality of life. In palliative care, the focus is on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. The use of technology to prolong life can sometimes conflict with this goal, leading to ethical dilemmas. Technology may extend life without considering the patient's comfort or dignity, raising questions about the meaningfulness of prolonging life in such situations. This issue is particularly challenging in palliative care as it requires balancing the benefits of technology with the patient's quality of life. Other choices are incorrect: A: The increase in cultural diversity in the United States - While cultural diversity can present challenges in palliative care, it is not the most often presented challenging ethical issue. B: Staffing shortages in health care and questions concerning quality of care - Staffing shortages are important issues in healthcare, but they do not directly relate to the ethical dilemmas specific to palliative care. C: Increased costs of health care coupled with