Nokea
A chemotherapeutic agent known to cause alopecia is prescribed for a patient. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to implement to help maintain the patient's self-esteem?
- A. Suggest that the patient limit social contacts until regrowth of the hair occurs.
- B. Encourage the patient to purchase a wig or hat and wear it once hair loss begins.
- C. Have the patient wash the hair gently with a mild shampoo to minimize hair loss.
- D. Inform the patient that the hair will grow back once the chemotherapy is complete.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is taught to anticipate hair loss and to be prepared with wigs, scarves, or hats. Limiting social contacts is not appropriate at a time when the patient is likely to need a good social support system. The damage occurs at the hair follicle and will occur regardless of gentle washing or use of a mild shampoo. The information that the hair will grow back is not immediately helpful in maintaining the patient's self-esteem.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which of the following findings in a patient who is receiving interleukin-2 indicates a need for rapid action by the nurse?
- A. Generalized muscle aches
- B. Complaints of nausea and anorexia
- C. Oral temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
- D. Capillary leak syndrome with 2+ edema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Capillary leak syndrome is a serious adverse effect of interleukin-2 therapy, leading to fluid retention and potential complications like pulmonary edema, requiring immediate intervention. Muscle aches, nausea, and a slightly elevated temperature are common side effects but are less urgent.
The nurse is caring for a patient undergoing external radiation and has developed a dry desquamation of the skin in the treatment area. Which of the following patient statements indicates that the nurse's teaching about management of the skin reaction has been effective?
- A. I can buy some aloe gel to use on the area.
- B. I will expose the treatment area to a sun lamp daily.
- C. I can use ice packs to relieve itching in the treatment area.
- D. I will scrub the area with warm water to remove the scales.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aloe gel and cream may be used on the radiated skin area. Ice and sunlamps may injure the skin. Treatment areas should be cleaned gently to avoid further injury.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving chemotherapy for leukemia. The patient's laboratory report shows a neutrophil count of 400/?¼L. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administer prescribed antibiotics immediately.
- B. Teach the patient to avoid crowded places.
- C. Assess the patient for signs of bleeding.
- D. Monitor the patient's temperature every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A neutrophil count of 400/?¼L indicates severe neutropenia, placing the patient at high risk for infection. Monitoring temperature every 4 hours is the priority to detect early signs of infection. Antibiotics may be needed but only after signs of infection are confirmed. Teaching about avoiding crowds is important but not the immediate priority. Assessing for bleeding is relevant for low platelet counts, not neutropenia.
Which of the following nursing actions will be most effective in improving oral intake for a patient with the nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to painful oral ulcers?
- A. Offer the patient frequent small snacks between meals.
- B. Assist the patient to choose favourite foods from the menu.
- C. Provide education about the importance of nutritional intake.
- D. Apply the ordered anaesthetic gel to oral lesions before meals.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Since the etiology of the patient's poor nutrition is the painful oral ulcers, the best intervention is to apply anaesthetic gel to the lesions before the patient eats. The other actions might be helpful for other patients with impaired nutrition, but would not be as helpful for this patient.
A patient with metastatic cancer of the colon experiences severe vomiting following each administration of chemotherapy. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
- A. Teach about the importance of nutrition during treatment.
- B. Have the patient eat large meals when nausea is not present.
- C. Offer dry crackers and carbonated fluids during chemotherapy.
- D. Administer prescribed antiemetics 1 hour before the treatments.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Treatment with antiemetics before chemotherapy may help prevent nausea. Although nausea may lead to poor nutrition, there is no indication that the patient needs instruction about nutrition. The patient should eat small, frequent meals. Offering food and beverages during chemotherapy is likely to cause nausea.