ATI RN
ATI Oncology Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to begin chemotherapy treatment and the nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about potential adverse effects. When addressing the most common adverse effect, what should the nurse describe?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are among the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, but they also affect healthy cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, triggering the release of chemicals that stimulate the brain's vomiting center. These side effects can occur immediately (acute), be delayed, or even anticipatory, and often require management with antiemetic (anti-nausea) medications to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life during treatment.
Question 2 of 9
A client is admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of Hodgkin¢â‚¬â„¢s disease. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to note specifically in the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hodgkin's disease (Hodgkin's lymphoma) is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, particularly affecting the lymph nodes. A hallmark sign of Hodgkin's disease is the painless enlargement of lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpit, or groin. These enlarged lymph nodes are typically firm and rubbery to the touch. This is one of the most distinctive and common early signs that healthcare providers look for when diagnosing the disease.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is planning care for a patient with leukemia who has been experiencing severe fatigue. What is the most appropriate intervention to include in the care plan?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In patients with leukemia, severe fatigue is a common symptom due to factors such as anemia, the disease process itself, and the effects of treatments like chemotherapy. The most appropriate intervention is to schedule frequent rest periods to help manage fatigue while encouraging a balance between rest and activity. This approach allows the patient to conserve energy for essential tasks and prevent exhaustion, without promoting complete inactivity, which can lead to deconditioning.
Question 4 of 9
A 60-year-old patient with chronic myeloid leukemia will be treated in the home setting and the nurse is preparing appropriate health education. What topic should the nurse emphasize?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is typically treated with targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which can help control the disease and prolong survival. The effectiveness of these medications relies heavily on strict adherence to the prescribed drug regimen. Patients need to take their medication consistently and as directed to maintain therapeutic drug levels and effectively manage the disease. Non-adherence can lead to disease progression or resistance to treatment, which is why it is crucial for the nurse to emphasize this point during health education.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who is receiving erythropoietin therapy. What should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erythropoietin therapy is used to stimulate the production of red blood cells in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disorder characterized by ineffective blood cell production, including red blood cells. The primary goal of erythropoietin therapy is to increase red blood cell count, improving the patient's oxygen-carrying capacity and reducing symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and weakness. Monitoring hemoglobin levels is the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy because it directly reflects the patient's red blood cell count and the success of erythropoiesis (red blood cell production).
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client admitted for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chemotherapy. The client reports nausea, flank pain, and muscle cramps. What action by the nurse is most important?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client's symptoms of nausea, flank pain, and muscle cramps are suggestive of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), a potentially life-threatening complication of chemotherapy in which cancer cells break down rapidly, releasing large amounts of intracellular components into the bloodstream. This leads to imbalances in electrolytes (elevated potassium, phosphate, and uric acid levels, with low calcium levels), which can cause severe metabolic disturbances, including kidney damage, arrhythmias, and muscle cramps. Checking serum electrolytes and uric acid levels is crucial for diagnosing and managing TLS early, preventing further complications.
Question 7 of 9
A client is diagnosed with multiple myeloma and the client asks the nurse about the diagnosis. The nurse bases the response on which description of this disorder?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that involves the malignant proliferation of plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. In multiple myeloma, these abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, where they interfere with the production of normal blood cells and lead to the formation of tumors in the bones. This can cause bone pain, fractures, anemia, and impaired immune function. The excessive production of abnormal antibodies can also result in kidney damage and other systemic complications.
Question 8 of 9
An oncology patient has just returned from the post-anesthesia care unit after an open hemicolectomy. This patient¢â‚¬â„¢s plan of nursing care should prioritize which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After an open hemicolectomy (surgical removal of part of the colon), monitoring the surgical wound for signs of dehiscence (wound reopening) is a critical nursing priority. Dehiscence is a serious postoperative complication that can occur if the surgical site does not heal properly. Regular wound assessments every 4 hours allow the nurse to identify early signs of complications, such as redness, swelling, increased drainage, or separation of the wound edges. Early detection is key to preventing further complications, such as infection or evisceration (protrusion of abdominal organs through the wound).
Question 9 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient with an advanced stage of breast cancer and the patient has recently learned that her cancer has metastasized. The nurse enters the room and finds the patient struggling to breathe and the nurse¢â‚¬â„¢s rapid assessment reveals that the patient¢â‚¬â„¢s jugular veins are distended. The nurse should suspect the development of what oncologic emergency?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when the superior vena cava, the large vein responsible for returning blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes obstructed or compressed, often due to a tumor, such as metastasized breast cancer. SVCS results in impaired venous drainage, leading to symptoms like distended jugular veins, facial swelling, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and upper body edema. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt intervention to restore blood flow and alleviate symptoms.