Oncology Test Bank Related

Review Oncology Test Bank related questions and content

Following an extensive diagnostic workup, an older adult patient has been diagnosed with a secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). What assessment question most directly addresses the potential etiology of this patient's health problem?

  • A. Were you ever exposed to toxic chemicals in any of the jobs that you held?
  • B. When you were younger, did you tend to have recurrent infections of any kind?
  • C. Have your parents or siblings had any disease like this?
  • D. Would you say that you've had a lot of sun exposure in your lifetime?
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Secondary MDS can occur at any age and results from prior toxic exposure to chemicals, including chemotherapeutic medications. Asking about exposure to toxic chemicals in previous jobs directly addresses the potential etiology of this patient's health problem. Choices B, C, and D are not as directly related to the etiology of secondary MDS. Recurrent infections (Choice B) are not a known cause of MDS. Family history (Choice C) is more pertinent to primary MDS, which has a genetic component, while sun exposure (Choice D) is not associated with the etiology of MDS.