Nokea
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.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which statement by a patient who is scheduled for a needle biopsy of the prostate indicates that the nurse's teaching about the purpose of the biopsy has been effective?
- A. The biopsy will remove the cancer in my prostate gland.
- B. The biopsy will determine how much longer I have to live.
- C. The biopsy will help decide the treatment for my enlarged prostate.
- D. The biopsy will indicate whether the cancer has spread to other organs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A biopsy is used to determine whether the prostate enlargement is benign or malignant and determines the type of treatment that will be needed. Biopsy does not give information about metastasis, life expectancy, or the impact of cancer on the patient's life; the three remaining statements indicate a need for patient teaching.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravesical bladder chemotherapy. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for in this patient?
- A. Nausea
- B. Alopecia
- C. Mucositis
- D. Hematuria
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The adverse effects of intravesical chemotherapy are confined to the bladder. The other adverse effects are associated with systemic chemotherapy.
When caring for a patient with a temporary radioactive cervical implant, which action by the student nurse indicates that the unit nurse should intervene?
- A. The student flushes the toilet once after emptying the patient's bedpan.
- B. The student stands by the patient's bed for 30 minutes talking with the patient.
- C. The student places the patient's bedding in the laundry container in the hallway.
- D. The student gives the patient an alcohol-containing mouthwash to use for oral care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because patients with temporary implants emit radioactivity while the implants are in place, exposure to the patient is limited. Laundry and urine or feces do not have any radioactivity and do not require special precautions. Cervical radiation will not affect the oral mucosa, and alcohol-based mouthwash is not contraindicated.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent intravenously. Which of the following actions is most important?
- A. Infuse the medication over a short period of time.
- B. Stop the infusion if swelling is observed at the site.
- C. Administer the chemotherapy through small-bore catheter.
- D. Hold the medication unless a central venous line is available.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Swelling at the site may indicate extravasation, and the IV should be stopped immediately. The medication generally should be given slowly to avoid irritation of the vein. The size of the catheter is not as important as administration of vesicants into a running IV line to allow dilution of the chemotherapeutic drug. These medications can be given through peripheral lines, although central vascular access devices (CVADs) are preferred.
During a routine health examination, a patient tells the nurse about a family history of colon cancer. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
- A. Educate the patient about the need for a colonoscopy at age 50.
- B. Teach the patient how to do home testing for fecal occult blood.
- C. Obtain more information from the patient about the family history.
- D. Schedule a sigmoidoscopy to provide baseline data about the patient.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient may be at increased risk for colon cancer, but the nurse's first action should be further assessment. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on the information that is obtained from the patient with further questioning.