A nurse enters the room of a patient with bladder cancer. The patient asks the nurse about the actions of chemotherapeutic drugs. Which of the following statements by the nurse is correct?
- A. Chemotherapeutic drugs will kill all of your cancer cells
- B. Chemotherapeutic medications are attracted mostly to slowly dividing cells
- C. Chemotherapy can cure cancer
- D. Chemotherapy is specifically destroying cancer cells
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chemotherapy drugs are designed to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells. Cancer cells often divide more quickly than normal cells, and chemotherapeutic agents exploit this characteristic to inhibit their growth and promote cell death. While chemotherapy can also affect other rapidly dividing normal cells (such as those in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles), the primary goal is to target cancerous cells.
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A nurse works on an oncology unit and delegates personal hygiene to assistive personnel (AP). What action by the AP requires intervention from the nurse?
- A. Allowing a very tired client to skip oral hygiene and sleep.
- B. Assisting clients with washing the perianal area every 12 hours.
- C. Helping the client use a soft-bristled toothbrush for oral care.
- D. Reminding the client to rinse the mouth with water or saline.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A client with cancer is admitted to a short-term rehabilitation facility. The nurse prepares to administer the client's oral chemotherapy medications. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Crush the medications if the client cannot swallow them.
- B. Give one medication at a time with a full glass of water.
- C. No special precautions are needed for these medications.
- D. Wear personal protective equipment when handling the medications.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
The nurse is caring for a female client experiencing neutropenia as a result of chemotherapy and develops a plan of care for the client. The nurse plans to:
- A. Restrict all visitors
- B. Restrict fluid intake
- C. Teach the client and family about the need for hand hygiene
- D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to prevent skin breakdown
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In clients experiencing neutropenia due to chemotherapy, the immune system is significantly compromised, leaving the client highly susceptible to infections. Meticulous hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infections in neutropenic patients. Teaching the client and their family the importance of frequent and proper handwashing helps reduce the transmission of harmful pathogens that could lead to severe infections in the neutropenic client. This simple but essential intervention is crucial in maintaining a safe environment.
A gastrectomy is performed on a client with gastric cancer. In the immediate postoperative period, the nurse notes bloody drainage from the nasogastric tube. The nurse should take which most appropriate action?
- A. Measure abdominal girth.
- B. Irrigate the nasogastric tube.
- C. Continue to monitor the drainage.
- D. Notify the health care provider (HCP).
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the immediate postoperative period following a gastrectomy, any bloody drainage from the nasogastric (NG) tube is concerning and requires prompt evaluation. This could indicate potential complications such as bleeding from the surgical site, erosion, or other postoperative issues. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately is crucial to ensure that the patient receives timely assessment and intervention. The presence of blood may necessitate further diagnostic procedures, interventions, or changes in management to prevent serious complications.
The public health nurse is presenting a health-promotion class to a group at a local community center. Which intervention most directly addresses the leading cause of cancer deaths in North America?
- A. Monthly self-breast exams
- B. Smoking cessation
- C. Annual colonoscopies
- D. Monthly testicular exams
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In North America, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women, and the primary risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. Therefore, promoting smoking cessation is a critical public health intervention that directly addresses this significant health issue. By helping individuals quit smoking, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the incidence of lung cancer and associated deaths, making this intervention a priority in cancer prevention efforts.