Nokea
A woman scheduled for a simple mastectomy in one week is having her preoperative education provided by the clinic nurse. What educational intervention will be of primary importance to prevent hemorrhage in the postoperative period?
- A. Limit her intake of green leafy vegetables.
- B. Increase her water intake to 8 glasses per day.
- C. Stop taking aspirin.
- D. Have nothing by mouth for 6 hours before surgery.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin has anticoagulant properties that can increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Instructing the patient to stop taking aspirin is critical to minimize hemorrhage risk. Limiting green leafy vegetables affects vitamin K levels but is less directly related to immediate bleeding risk. Fluid intake or NPO status does not significantly impact hemorrhage prevention.
You may also like to solve these questions
A 35-year-old mother of three young children has been diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. After discussing treatment options with her physician, the woman goes home to talk to her husband, later calling the nurse for clarification of some points. The patient tells the nurse that the physician has recommended breast conservation surgery followed by radiation. The patients husband has done some online research and is asking why his wife does not have a modified radical mastectomy to be sure all the cancer is gone. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. Modified radical mastectomies are very hard on a patient, both physically and emotionally and they really arent necessary anymore.
- B. According to current guidelines, having a modified radical mastectomy is no longer seen as beneficial.
- C. Modified radical mastectomies have a poor survival rate because of the risk of cancer recurrence.
- D. According to current guidelines, breast conservation combined with radiation is as effective as a modified radical mastectomy.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For stage II breast cancer, breast conservation surgery with radiation offers survival rates equivalent to modified radical mastectomy, per current guidelines. Mastectomies remain necessary in some cases, are not inherently riskier for recurrence, and their physical/emotional impact is not the primary reason for choosing conservation.
A nurse is examining a patient who has been diagnosed with a fibroadenoma. The nurse should recognize what implication of this patients diagnosis?
- A. The patient will be scheduled for radiation therapy.
- B. The patient might be referred for a biopsy.
- C. The patients breast mass is considered an age-related change.
- D. The patients diagnosis is likely related to her use of oral contraceptives.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fibroadenomas are benign, firm, movable tumors that may require biopsy for definitive diagnosis. They are not age-related, not linked to oral contraceptives, and do not necessitate radiation therapy.
A patient has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and the nurse is performing a patient interview. In assessing this patients ability to cope with this diagnosis, what would be an appropriate question for the nurse to ask this patient?
- A. What is your level of education?
- B. Are you feeling alright these days?
- C. Is there someone you trust to help you make treatment choices?
- D. Are you concerned about receiving this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asking about a trusted support person assesses the patient's social resources for coping with treatment decisions. Education level is irrelevant, and vague or obvious questions about feelings or concern are less effective.
A woman aged years comes into the clinic because she has discovered a lump in her breast. After diagnostic testing, the patient receives a diagnosis of cancer. The nurse asks when patients should begin mammography. What is the nurses best advice?
- A. Age 28
- B. Age 35
- C. Age 38
- D. Age 48
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For women with a first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer at age 48, screening mammography should begin 5 to 10 years earlier than the age of diagnosis, but not before age 25. Starting at age 38 aligns with this guideline, providing early detection for those at increased familial risk.
A patient has presented for her annual mammogram. The patient voices concerns related to exposure to radiation. What should the nurse teach the patient about a mammogram?
- A. It does not use radiation.
- B. Radiation levels are safe as long as mammograms are performed only once per year.
- C. The negative effects of radiation do not accumulate until late in life.
- D. Radiation from a mammogram is equivalent to an hour of sunlight.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The radiation from a mammogram is minimal, equivalent to about an hour of sunlight exposure, making the benefits of early cancer detection outweigh the risks. Radiation is used, and effects do not specifically accumulate later in life; annual mammograms are safe.