ATI RN
ATI Oncology Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is monitoring a client for signs and symptoms related to superior vena cava syndrome. Which is an early sign of this oncological emergency?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when the superior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes compressed or obstructed, often by a tumor or enlarged lymph nodes, typically in cancers like lung cancer or lymphoma. The obstruction leads to increased venous pressure and reduced blood flow, resulting in swelling and edema in areas drained by the superior vena cava. Periorbital edema (swelling around the eyes) is one of the earliest signs of SVCS. This occurs because the impaired venous return causes fluid to accumulate in the soft tissues of the face, especially around the eyes. As the condition progresses, facial swelling can worsen, and other symptoms develop.
Question 2 of 5
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 3 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: B
Rationale: In oncology patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, myelosuppression (the decrease in bone marrow activity that leads to reduced white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) increases the risk of infection. Maintaining skin integrity is crucial because the skin acts as the body's first line of defense against infections. If the skin becomes compromised, such as through radiation burns, rashes, or breakdowns, it provides a potential entry point for pathogens, increasing the risk of infection. Since infections in oncology patients can quickly become severe due to their weakened immune systems, maintaining skin integrity is a critical intervention to reduce infection risk, especially for patients who are immunosuppressed.
Question 4 of 5
The clinic nurse is caring for a 42-year-old male oncology patient. He complains of extreme fatigue and weakness after his first week of radiation therapy. Which response by the nurse would best reassure this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue and weakness are common side effects of radiation therapy, often due to the body's response to radiation damage and the energy required to repair both cancerous and healthy cells affected by the treatment. Reassuring the patient that these symptoms are expected while also emphasizing ongoing monitoring (through lab and x-ray studies) provides both comfort and a sense of proactive care. It ensures the patient that their symptoms are being addressed in a safe and medically appropriate way.
Question 5 of 5
An oncology nurse educator is providing health education to a patient who has been diagnosed with skin cancer. The patient¢â‚¬â„¢s wife has asked about the differences between normal cells and cancer cells. What characteristic of a cancer cell should the educator cite?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant (cancer) cells often express tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), which are proteins or markers on the surface of cancer cells that are not found on normal cells. These antigens are produced due to genetic mutations in cancer cells and can sometimes be used to help the immune system recognize and attack cancerous cells. Tumor-specific antigens play a key role in cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and targeted therapies.