Nokea
A patient has just been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the neck. While the nurse is doing health education, the patient asks, Does this kind of cancer tend to spread to other parts of the body? What is the nurses best response?
- A. In many cases, this type of cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
- B. This cancer usually does not spread to distant sites in the body.
- C. You will have to speak to your oncologist about that.
- D. Squamous cell carcinoma is nothing to be concerned about, so try to focus on your health.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The incidence of distant metastasis with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (including larynx cancer) is relatively low. The patients prognosis is determined by the oncologist, but the patient has asked a general question and it would be inappropriate to refuse a response. The nurse must not downplay the patients concerns.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a patient whose recent unexplained weight loss and history of smoking have prompted diagnostic testing for cancer. What symptom is most closely associated with the early stages of laryngeal cancer?
- A. Hoarseness
- B. Dyspnea
- C. Dysphagia
- D. Frequent nosebleeds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hoarseness is an early symptom of laryngeal cancer. Dyspnea, dysphagia, and lumps are later signs of laryngeal cancer. Alopecia is not associated with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer.
A patient has had a nasogastric tube in place for 6 days due to the development of paralytic ileus after surgery. In light of the prolonged presence of the nasogastric tube, the nurse should prioritize assessments related to what complication?
- A. Sinus infections
- B. Esophageal strictures
- C. Pharyngitis
- D. Laryngitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with nasotracheal and nasogastric tubes in place are at risk for development of sinus infections. Thus, accurate assessment of patients with these tubes is critical. Use of a nasogastric tube is not associated with the development of the other listed pathologies.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the ED for epistaxis. What information should the nurse include in patient discharge teaching as a way to prevent epistaxis?
- A. Keep nasal passages clear.
- B. Use decongestants regularly.
- C. Humidify the indoor environment.
- D. Use a tissue when blowing the nose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Discharge teaching for prevention of epistaxis should include the following: avoid forceful nose blowing, straining, high altitudes, and nasal trauma (nose picking). Adequate humidification may prevent drying of the nasal passages. Keeping nasal passages clear and using a tissue when blowing the nose are not included in discharge teaching for the prevention of epistaxis. Decongestants are not indicated.
The nurse is providing care for a patient who has just been admitted to the postsurgical unit following a laryngectomy. What assessment should the nurse prioritize?
- A. The patients swallowing ability
- B. The patients airway patency
- C. The patients carotid pulses
- D. Signs and symptoms of infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient with a laryngectomy is at risk for airway occlusion and respiratory distress. As in all nursing situations, assessment of the airway is a priority over other potential complications and assessment parameters.
A patient comes to the ED and is admitted with epistaxis. Pressure has been applied to the patients midline septum for 10 minutes, but the bleeding continues. The nurse should anticipate using what treatment to control the bleeding?
- A. Irrigation with a hypertonic solution
- B. Nasopharyngeal suction
- C. Normal saline application
- D. Silver nitrate application
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: If pressure to the midline septum does not stop the bleeding for epistaxis, additional treatment of silver nitrate application, Gelfoam, electrocautery, or vasoconstrictors may be used. Suction may be used to visualize the nasal septum, but it does not alleviate the bleeding. Irrigation with a hypertonic solution is not used to treat epistaxis.