A patient who is being treated for stage IV lung cancer tells the nurse about new-onset back pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Give the patient the prescribed PRN opioid.
- B. Assess for sensation and strength in the legs.
- C. Notify the health care provider about the symptoms.
- D. Teach the patient how to use relaxation to reduce pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stage IV lung cancer plus back pain flags spinal cord compression leg checks for numbness or weakness come first; paralysis kills fast. Opioids , calls , or relaxation follow. Nurses in oncology prioritize this neuro's the lifeline, catching mets' chaos early.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which is not associated with atypical pneumonia?
- A. abnormal LFTs
- B. hypernatremia
- C. hypophosphatemia
- D. bilateral patchy infiltrates on CXR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atypical pneumonia LFTs wobble, phosphates drop, CXR patches, agglutinins rise; sodium stays. Nurses skip this chronic salt glitch.
The definition of Chronic Heart Failure is:
- A. Failure of the heart to adequately pump blood to the body
- B. Long-term inability of the heart to meet metabolic demands required to maintain homeostasis
- C. Prolonged enlargement of the left ventricle impacting on the contractility of the muscle
- D. Long term fluid build-up, causing increase in blood volume and reducing the ability of the heart to maintain blood flow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic heart failure's essence long-term pump lag can't match body's metabolic needs, a homeostasis bust. Simple pump fail's vague; LV growth or fluid traps are bits, not the whole. Nurses grasp this, a chronic ticker's root.
After receiving the hand-off report, which client should the oncology nurse see first?
- A. Client who is afebrile with a heart rate of 108 beats/min
- B. Older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes
- C. Client who is neutropenic and in protective isolation
- D. Client scheduled for radiation therapy today
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In oncology nursing, prioritizing care is critical due to the complexity of cancer patients' conditions. An older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes is the priority because this could signal sepsis or infection, especially since chemotherapy-induced neutropenia often masks typical signs like fever in the elderly. Mental confusion might be the only early clue, and delayed assessment could lead to rapid deterioration or death. A heart rate of 108 beats/min without fever suggests tachycardia, possibly from dehydration or anxiety, but it's less urgent without other red flags. A neutropenic client in isolation needs monitoring, but no acute change is noted. The client scheduled for radiation has a planned treatment, not an immediate crisis. Assessing the older client first allows the nurse to rule out or address a life-threatening issue, aligning with the principle of prioritizing unstable patients in acute care settings.
Which of the following interventions would be best for the child who has developed mucositis as a side effect of chemotherapy?
- A. Using lemon glycerin swabs for oral hygiene.
- B. Keeping the child NPO until all sores are healed.
- C. Having the child swish and swallow viscous lidocaine.
- D. Giving the child pudding for breakfast.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mucositis, a painful chemotherapy side effect, involves inflamed, ulcerated mucous membranes, often in the mouth, complicating eating and hygiene. Offering pudding a soft, bland, cool food is the best intervention, as it minimizes irritation and pain, encouraging nutrition without exacerbating sores. Lemon glycerin swabs are harsh, with citric acid and chemicals worsening discomfort and delaying healing. Keeping the child NPO (nothing by mouth) for weeks until sores heal is impractical and risks malnutrition, as mucositis can persist throughout chemotherapy. Viscous lidocaine might numb pain but is a last resort if the child refuses all intake, not a first-line comfort measure. Pudding supports hydration and calorie intake safely, aligning with nursing's goal to maintain nutrition and comfort in pediatric oncology, reducing mucositis-related distress effectively.
Which is FALSE regarding PCP pneumonia in AIDS?
- A. it is usually only seen when the CD4 count <200
- B. prophylaxis should be given in all pts with CD4 count <200
- C. CXR characteristically shows bilateral diffuse infiltrates
- D. Once a patient has had it they are unlikely to get it again
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: PCP relapse haunts AIDS CD4 <200 stays vulnerable, not a one-off. Prophylaxis holds below 200, CXR's diffuse or blank 20%, all true. Nurses know this chronic lung leech bites again sans lifelong guard.