Chronic Illness Nursing Questions Related

Review Chronic Illness Nursing Questions related questions and content

A client is receiving interleukins along with chemotherapy. What assessment by the nurse takes priority?

  • A. Blood pressure
  • B. Lung assessment
  • C. Oral mucous membranes
  • D. Skin integrity
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Interleukins, a type of biologic response modifier used with chemotherapy, can cause capillary leak syndrome, where fluid shifts from blood vessels into tissues, leading to hypotension and edema. This makes blood pressure the priority assessment, as a drop could indicate intravascular depletion, risking shock or organ failure if undetected. Lung assessment is relevant for potential pulmonary edema, but hypotension precedes respiratory distress in this context. Oral mucous membranes and skin integrity matter for chemotherapy's broader effects (e.g., mucositis, rashes), but these are less urgent than hemodynamic stability. Monitoring blood pressure first ensures early detection of a life-threatening complication, aligning with nursing's focus on airway, breathing, and circulation principles, critical in managing interleukin therapy's systemic impact.