Nokea
An older adult patient is undergoing diagnostic testing for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). What assessment finding is certain to be present if the patient has CLL?
- A. Increased numbers of blast cells
- B. Increased lymphocyte levels
- C. Intractable bone pain
- D. Thrombocytopenia with no evidence of bleeding
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An increased lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis) is always present in patients with CLL. Each of the other listed symptoms may or may not be present, and none is definitive for CLL.
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A nurse recognizes a patients risk for fluid imbalance while the patient is undergoing treatment for leukemia. What relevant assessments should the nurse include in the patients plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Monitoring the patients electrolyte levels
- B. Monitoring the patients hepatic function
- C. Measuring the patients weight on a daily basis
- D. Measuring and recording the patients intake and output
- E. Auscultating the patients lungs frequently
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Assessments that relate to fluid balance include monitoring the patients electrolytes, auscultating the patients chest for adventitious sounds, weighing the patient daily, and closely monitoring intake and output. Liver function is not directly relevant to the patients fluid status in most cases.
After receiving a diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia, a patient is visibly distraught, stating, I have no idea where to go from here. How should the nurse prepare to meet this patients psychosocial needs?
- A. Assess the patients previous experience with the health care system.
- B. Reassure the patient that treatment will be challenging but successful.
- C. Assess the patients specific needs for education and support.
- D. Identify the patients plan of medical care.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In order to meet the patients needs, the nurse must first identify the specific nature of these needs. According to the nursing process, assessment must precede interventions. The plan of medical care is important, but not central to the provision of support. The patients previous health care is not a primary consideration, and the nurse cannot assure the patient of successful treatment.
A patient with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is being treated with induction therapy on the oncology unit. What nursing action should be prioritized in the patients care plan?
- A. Protective isolation and vigilant use of standard precautions
- B. Provision of a high-calorie, low-texture diet and appropriate oral hygiene
- C. Including the family in planning the patients activities of daily living
- D. Monitoring and treating the patients pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Induction therapy causes neutropenia and a severe risk of infection. This risk must be addressed directly in order to ensure the patients survival. For this reason, infection control would be prioritized over nutritional interventions, family care, and pain, even though each of these are important aspects of nursing care.
A 60-year-old patient with chronic myeloid leukemia will be treated in the home setting and the nurse is preparing appropriate health education. What topic should the nurse emphasize?
- A. The importance of adhering to the prescribed drug regimen
- B. The need to ensure that vaccinations are up to date
- C. The importance of daily physical activity
- D. The need to avoid shellfish and raw foods
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nurses need to understand that the effectiveness of the drugs used to treat CML is based on the ability of the patient to adhere to the medication regimen as prescribed. Adherence is often incomplete, thus this must be a focus of health education. Vaccinations normally would not be administered during treatment and daily physical activity may be impossible for the patient. Dietary restrictions are not normally necessary.
A patient with non-Hodgkins lymphoma is receiving information from the oncology nurse. The patient asks the nurse why she should stop drinking and smoking and stay out of the sun. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. Everyone should do these things because theyre health promotion activities that apply to everyone.
- B. You dont want to develop a second cancer, do you?
- C. You need to do this just to be on the safe side.
- D. Its important to reduce other factors that increase the risk of second cancers.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should encourage patients to reduce other factors that increase the risk of developing second cancers, such as use of tobacco and alcohol and exposure to environmental carcinogens and excessive sunlight. The other options do not answer the patients question, and also make light of the patients question.