Nokea
An oncology nurse educator is providing health education to a patient who has been diagnosed with skin cancer. The patient¢â‚¬â„¢s wife has asked about the differences between normal cells and cancer cells. What characteristic of a cancer cell should the educator cite?
- A. Malignant cells contain more fibronectin than normal body cells.
- B. Malignant cells contain proteins called tumor-specific antigens.
- C. Chromosomes contained in cancer cells are more durable and stable than those of normal cells.
- D. The nuclei of cancer cells are unusually large, but regularly shaped.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant (cancer) cells often express tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), which are proteins or markers on the surface of cancer cells that are not found on normal cells. These antigens are produced due to genetic mutations in cancer cells and can sometimes be used to help the immune system recognize and attack cancerous cells. Tumor-specific antigens play a key role in cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and targeted therapies.
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A nurse is caring for a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who is receiving erythropoietin therapy. What should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment?
- A. Platelet count
- B. Hemoglobin level
- C. White blood cell count
- D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erythropoietin therapy is used to stimulate the production of red blood cells in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disorder characterized by ineffective blood cell production, including red blood cells. The primary goal of erythropoietin therapy is to increase red blood cell count, improving the patient's oxygen-carrying capacity and reducing symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and weakness. Monitoring hemoglobin levels is the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy because it directly reflects the patient's red blood cell count and the success of erythropoiesis (red blood cell production).
A patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is receiving induction therapy. What is the priority nursing intervention during this phase of treatment?
- A. Administering pain management
- B. Monitoring for signs of infection
- C. Providing emotional support
- D. Monitoring fluid balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) involves intensive chemotherapy aimed at achieving remission by eliminating a large number of cancerous cells. However, this aggressive treatment also severely reduces the production of healthy blood cells, including neutrophils, which leads to neutropenia (a dangerously low number of neutrophils). This makes the patient highly susceptible to infections, which can be life-threatening. Monitoring for signs of infection is critical during this phase, as infections may occur quickly and progress rapidly due to the compromised immune system. Early detection and prompt treatment of infections are vital to improving patient outcomes during induction therapy.
Traditionally, nurses have been involved with tertiary cancer prevention. However, an increasing emphasis is being placed on both primary and secondary prevention. What would be an example of primary prevention?
- A. Yearly Pap tests
- B. Testicular self-examination
- C. Teaching patients to wear sunscreen
- D. Screening mammograms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Primary prevention involves actions taken to reduce the risk of developing cancer by preventing exposure to known risk factors or promoting healthy behaviors. Teaching patients to wear sunscreen is an example of primary prevention because it aims to reduce the risk of skin cancer by minimizing exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Encouraging protective measures such as wearing sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds, and wearing protective clothing are all steps to prevent skin cancer before it develops.
While giving care to a client with an internal cervical radiation implant, the nurse finds the implant in the bed. The nurse should take which initial action?
- A. Call the health care provider (HCP).
- B. Reinsert the implant into the vagina.
- C. Pick up the implant with gloved hands and flush it down the toilet.
- D. Pick up the implant with long-handled forceps and place it in a lead container.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When caring for a client with an internal cervical radiation implant, safety measures must be followed to protect both the client and healthcare personnel from radiation exposure. If the implant becomes dislodged and is found in the bed, the nurse's priority is to handle it safely using long-handled forceps, as direct contact with the implant could result in radiation exposure. The implant should be placed in a lead-lined container, which is specifically designed to shield against radiation, to prevent further contamination or exposure. After securing the implant, the nurse should notify the radiation safety officer or healthcare provider for further guidance.
A nurse is caring for a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who is at risk for anemia. What is the most appropriate intervention to address this risk?
- A. Administering iron supplements
- B. Administering blood transfusions
- C. Providing a high-iron diet
- D. Administering erythropoietin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells, leading to conditions such as anemia. Administering erythropoietin is an effective intervention to manage anemia in MDS patients because it stimulates the production of red blood cells. This can help improve the patient's hemoglobin levels, reducing symptoms such as fatigue and weakness associated with anemia. Erythropoietin is commonly used in MDS to enhance red blood cell production and reduce the need for frequent blood transfusions.