Nokea
A client receiving chemotherapy has a white blood cell count of 1000/mm³. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Assess all mucous membranes every 4 to 8 hours.
- B. Do not allow the client to eat meat or poultry.
- C. Listen to lung sounds and monitor for cough.
- D. Monitor the venous access device appearance with vital signs.
- E. Take and record vital signs every 4 to 8 hours.
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Per facility protocol, the nurse should assess this client for infection every 4 to 8 hours by assessing all mucous membranes, listening to lung sounds, monitoring for cough, monitoring the appearance of the venous access device, and recording vital signs. Eating meat and poultry is allowed.
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A client with cancer is admitted to a short-term rehabilitation facility. The nurse prepares to administer the client's chemotherapy medications. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Crush the medications if the client reports difficulty swallowing 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: During the administration of oral chemotherapy agents, nurses must take the same precautions that are used when administering IV chemotherapy. This includes using personal protective equipment. These medications cannot be crushed, split, or chewed. Giving one at a time is not needed.
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 can cause capillary leak syndrome and fluid shifting, leading to intravascular volume depletion. Although all assessments are important in caring for clients with cancer, blood pressure and other assessments of fluid status take priority.
A client's family members are concerned that telling the client about a new finding of cancer will cause extreme emotional distress. They approach the nurse and ask if this can be kept from the client. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Ask the family to describe their concerns more fully.
- B. Consult with a social worker, chaplain, or ethics committee.
- C. Explain the client's right to know and ask for their assistance.
- D. Have the unit manager take over the care of this client and family.
- E. Tell the family that this secret will not be kept from the client.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: The client's right of autonomy means that the client must be fully informed as to their diagnosis and treatment options. The nurse cannot ethically keep this information from the client. The nurse can ask the family to explain their concerns more fully so everyone understands the concerns. A social worker, chaplain, or ethics committee can become involved to assist the nurse, client, and family. Explaining the client's right to know while seeking family assistance fosters collaboration.
A client has a low hemoglobin level. Which medication does the nurse prepare to administer?
- A. Epoetin alfa (Epogen)
- B. Filgrastim (Neupogen)
- C. Mesna (Mesnex)
- D. Oprelvekin (Neumega)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client's hemoglobin is low, so the nurse should prepare to administer epoetin alfa, a colony-stimulating factor that increases production of red blood cells. Filgrastim is for neutropenia. Mesna is used to decrease bladder toxicity from some chemotherapeutic agents. Oprelvekin is used to increase platelet count.
A nurse working with clients who experience alopecia knows that which is the best method of helping clients manage the psychosocial impacts of this problem?
- A. Assisting the client to plan for this event
- B. Reassuring the client that alopecia is temporary
- C. Referring the client to a support group
- D. Telling the client that there are worse side effects
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alopecia does not occur in all clients with cancer, but when it does, it can be devastating. The best action by the nurse is to teach the client about the possibility and to give the client multiple choices for preparing for it.