Nokea
The client with a primary diagnosis of liver cancer with metastases to the lung is hospitalized with severe dyspnea. The nurse is preparing the client for radiation of the upper chest. Which nursing conclusion about the purpose of radiation therapy for this client is correct?
- A. Radiation therapy is used to cure and control liver cancer.
- B. Radiation therapy is used to prevent future cancer development.
- C. Radiation therapy is used to cure and control lung cancer.
- D. Radiation therapy is used to prevent or relieve distressing symptoms.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A. Radiation of the upper chest would have no effect on the liver located in the abdominal cavity. B. Preventing future cancer development is not the intention of radiation therapy for this client. C. Radiation therapy reduces size of tumors but would not be expected to cure cancer in this client. D. Primary liver tumors commonly metastasize to the lung, which can cause obstructive symptoms. In this client, radiation therapy to the lung would be used as a palliative care modality to help relieve distressing symptoms such as dyspnea.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is collecting data from the client undergoing testing for possible basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Which information in the client’s health history should the nurse identify as risk factors for BCC?
- A. Taking immune-suppressing medications
- B. 10-pack-year history of cigarette smoking
- C. Has fair skin color, red hair, and blue eyes
- D. Had bone exposure to high radon gas levels
- E. Works as a laborer in road construction
Correct Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: Immune-suppressing drugs weaken the immune system, and cellular changes can occur more aggressively. B. Smoking history is a risk factor for lung cancer, not BCC. C. Persons with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes have a higher risk for BCC due to the ease of sunburn with sun exposure if the skin is not protected. D. Exposure to indoor radon gas is a risk factor for lung cancer, not BCC. Radon is a radioactive colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. E. Frequent participation in outdoor activities with exposure to sunlight is a risk for BCC due to the damage caused by UV light. UV light damages DNA.
The nurse is assisting the HCP with a bone marrow biopsy. Which intervention postprocedure has priority?
- A. Apply pressure to site for five (5) to 10 minutes.
- B. Medicate for pain with morphine slow IVP.
- C. Maintain head of bed in high Fowler’s position.
- D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula at five (5) L/min.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Applying pressure for 5–10 minutes (A) prevents bleeding post-biopsy, a priority. Pain meds (B), HOB (C), and oxygen (D) are secondary or unrelated.
The client undergoing intensive chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is hospitalized with fever and depressed immune system functioning. The nurse is administering filgrastim subcutaneously daily. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to determine the medication’s effectiveness?
- A. Hemoglobin
- B. Platelet count
- C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
- D. Reed-Sternberg cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A. Epoetin alfa, not filgrastim, is used to treat anemia that is associated with cancer, and its effectiveness would be reflected in the Hgb values. B. Oprelvekin (Neumega), not filgrastim, enhances the synthesis of platelets. C. The nurse should monitor the ANC. Filgrastim (Neupogen) is usually discontinued when the client’s absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is above 1000 cells/mm3. Filgrastim, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analog, is used to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of granulocytes and treat neutropenia. D. Reed-Sternberg cells are found in lymph node biopsy cells and are indicative of Hodgkin’s lymphoma; they are not monitored to determine the effectiveness of filgrastim, which is used to treat neutropenia.
The client diagnosed with sickle cell anemia is experiencing a vaso-occlusive sickle cell crisis secondary to an infection. Which medical treatment should the nurse anticipate the HCP ordering for the client?
- A. Administer meperidine (Demerol) intravenously.
- B. Admit the client to a private room and keep in reverse isolation.
- C. Infuse D5W 0.33% NS at 150 mL/hr via pump.
- D. Insert a 22-French Foley catheter with a urimeter.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hydration with IV fluids (C) prevents sickling in vaso-occlusive crisis. Meperidine (A) is avoided (risks seizures), isolation (B) is excessive, and Foley (D) is unnecessary.
The client diagnosed with atrial fibrillation is admitted with warfarin (Coumadin) toxicity. Which HCP order would the nurse anticipate?
- A. Protamine sulfate, an anticoagulant antidote.
- B. Heparin sodium, an anticoagulant.
- C. Lovenox, a low molecular weight anticoagulant.
- D. Vitamin K, an anticoagulant agonist.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Warfarin toxicity causes bleeding; vitamin K (D) reverses it. Protamine (A) reverses heparin, heparin/Lovenox (B, C) worsen bleeding.