The client is admitted with a diagnosis of colon cancer. Which finding in the client’s admission information should prompt the nurse to consider that the cancer may be located in the client’s descending colon?
- A. Pain in the lower abdomen
- B. Change in bowel habits
- C. Bright red blood in the stool
- D. Nausea and vomiting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A. Pain may be a symptom of a tumor located on the left side of the colon, but it is not exclusive and could be a symptom of a tumor elsewhere in the colon. B. Change of bowel habits may be a symptom of a tumor located on the left side of the colon, but this is not exclusive and could be a symptom of a tumor elsewhere in the colon. C. Bright red blood in the stool is a sign or symptom of a colorectal tumor located in the descending colon. D. Nausea and vomiting are not symptoms specific to colon cancer.
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The nurse assesses the client diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Which finding should be the nurse’s priority for implementing interventions?
- A. Pain from mucositis and oral tissue injury
- B. Weakness and fatigue with slight activity
- C. T 99°F, P 100, R 22, BP 132/64 mm Hg
- D. Ecchymosis and petechiae noted on arms
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A. Pain control is priority. The altered VS (other than temperature) could be related to pain. B. Weakness and fatigue are due to anemia and also the disease process. It is important to allow rest, but if pain is not controlled the client may not be able to rest. C. The temperature warrants further monitoring because it could indicate a developing infection; the other VS may decrease if pain is controlled. D. Ecchymosis and petechiae are associated with low platelet counts. The nurse should check the laboratory report for the platelet level, but this is an assessment and not an intervention.
The client with O+ blood is in need of an emergency transfusion but the laboratory does not have any O+ blood available. Which potential unit of blood could be given to the client?
- A. The O- unit.
- B. The A+ unit.
- C. The B+ unit.
- D. Any Rh+ unit.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: O- is the universal donor (A), safe for O+ clients. A+ (B), B+ (C), and other Rh+ (D) risk reactions due to antigens.
The nurse and the licensed practical nurse (LPN) are caring for clients on an oncology floor. Which client should not be assigned to the LPN?
- A. The client newly diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- B. The client who is four (4) hours postprocedure bone marrow biopsy.
- C. The client who received two (2) units of (PRBCs) on the previous shift.
- D. The client who is receiving multiple intravenous piggyback medications.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: IV piggyback medications (D) require complex assessment (e.g., chemotherapy), beyond LPN scope. New diagnosis (A), post-biopsy (B), and post-transfusion (C) are stable for LPN care.
The nurse is collecting data from the client undergoing testing for possible basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Which information in the client’s health history should the nurse identify as risk factors for BCC?
- A. Taking immune-suppressing medications
- B. 10-pack-year history of cigarette smoking
- C. Has fair skin color, red hair, and blue eyes
- D. Had bone exposure to high radon gas levels
- E. Works as a laborer in road construction
Correct Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: Immune-suppressing drugs weaken the immune system, and cellular changes can occur more aggressively. B. Smoking history is a risk factor for lung cancer, not BCC. C. Persons with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes have a higher risk for BCC due to the ease of sunburn with sun exposure if the skin is not protected. D. Exposure to indoor radon gas is a risk factor for lung cancer, not BCC. Radon is a radioactive colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. E. Frequent participation in outdoor activities with exposure to sunlight is a risk for BCC due to the damage caused by UV light. UV light damages DNA.
The nurse and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for clients on an oncology floor. Which nursing task would be delegated to the UAP?
- A. Assess the urine output on a client who has had a blood transfusion reaction.
- B. Take the first 15 minutes of vital signs on a client receiving a unit of PRBCs.
- C. Auscultate the lung sounds of a client prior to a transfusion.
- D. Assist a client who received 10 units of platelets in brushing the teeth.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Taking initial vital signs (B) during transfusion is within UAP scope. Assessing urine (A), lung sounds (C), and brushing teeth post-platelets (D) require nursing judgment.