Nokea
The clinic nurse is caring for a 42-year-old male oncology patient. He complains of extreme fatigue and weakness after his first week of radiation therapy. Which response by the nurse would best reassure this patient?
- A. These symptoms usually result from radiation therapy; however, we will continue to monitor your laboratory and x-ray studies.
- B. These symptoms are part of your disease and are an unfortunately inevitable part of living with cancer.
- C. Try not to be concerned about these symptoms. Every patient feels this way after having radiation therapy.
- D. Even though it is uncomfortable, this is a good sign. It means that only the cancer cells are dying.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges the patient's symptoms, reassures monitoring, and addresses the cause. It validates his experience while offering a proactive approach. Choice B is incorrect as it dismisses the patient's symptoms and can cause distress. Choice C is incorrect because it generalizes the patient's experience and lacks individualized care. Choice D is incorrect as it may give false hope and oversimplifies the situation. A provides the best balance of empathy and information for the patient's well-being.
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The nurse is caring for a 39-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer. She requested a breast tumor marking test and the results have come back positive. As a result, the patient is requesting a bilateral mastectomy. This surgery is an example of what type of oncologic surgery?
- A. Salvage surgery
- B. Palliative surgery
- C. Prophylactic surgery
- D. Reconstructive surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Prophylactic surgery. Prophylactic surgery involves removing tissue at risk of developing cancer to prevent the occurrence of cancer. In this case, the patient has a family history of breast cancer and has tested positive for a breast tumor marker, indicating a high risk of developing breast cancer. By opting for a bilateral mastectomy, the patient is proactively removing breast tissue to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.
Salvage surgery (A) is performed to remove cancer that has recurred after initial treatment. Palliative surgery (B) aims to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life but is not curative. Reconstructive surgery (D) is performed to restore the appearance and function of a body part after cancer treatment but is not the primary purpose in this scenario.
A nurse is planning the postoperative care of a patient who is scheduled for radical prostatectomy. What intraoperative position will place the patient at particular risk for the development of deep vein thrombosis postoperatively?
- A. Fowlers position
- B. Prone position
- C. Supine position
- D. Lithotomy position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Lithotomy position. In lithotomy position, the patient's legs are elevated and positioned higher than the heart, which can lead to venous stasis and increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This position compresses the femoral veins, hindering blood flow and predisposing the patient to DVT formation.
Summary:
A: Fowlers position - Not typically associated with increased DVT risk.
B: Prone position - Not typically associated with increased DVT risk.
C: Supine position - Generally considered a safe position regarding DVT risk.
A nurse is providing care to a group of patients.Which patient will the nurse seefirst?
- A. A patient who is dribbling small amounts on the way to the bathroom and has a diagnosis of urge incontinence
- B. A patient with reflex incontinence with elevated blood pressure and pulse rate
- C. A patient with an indwelling catheter that has stool on the catheter tubing
- D. A patient who has just voided and needs a postvoid residual test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because reflex incontinence with elevated blood pressure and pulse rate indicates a potentially urgent medical situation that requires immediate attention to address the underlying cause. This patient may be at risk for a serious medical event such as autonomic dysreflexia, which requires prompt intervention.
Choice A is incorrect because urge incontinence does not pose an immediate threat to the patient's health compared to the urgent medical situation presented in choice B.
Choice C is incorrect because while stool on the catheter tubing may indicate the need for intervention, it is not as time-sensitive as the situation presented in choice B.
Choice D is incorrect because the patient who has just voided and needs a postvoid residual test does not have any urgent medical issues that require immediate attention compared to the patient with reflex incontinence and elevated vital signs.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been admitted for the treatment of AIDS. In the morning, the patient tells the nurse that he experienced night sweats and recently coughed up some blood. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Assess the patient for additional signs and symptoms of Kaposis sarcoma.
- B. Review the patients most recent viral load and CD4+ count.
- C. Place the patient on respiratory isolation and inform the physician.
- D. Perform oral suctioning to reduce the patients risk for aspiration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Place the patient on respiratory isolation and inform the physician. This is the most appropriate action because the patient is exhibiting symptoms that could be indicative of a potentially infectious respiratory condition, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia. Placing the patient on respiratory isolation helps prevent the spread of infection to others and protects healthcare workers. Informing the physician promptly allows for further evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Choice A is incorrect as Kaposi's sarcoma typically presents with skin lesions rather than respiratory symptoms. Choice B is incorrect as reviewing viral load and CD4+ count would not address the immediate concern of respiratory symptoms. Choice D is incorrect as oral suctioning is not the appropriate intervention for night sweats and coughing up blood.
A nurse who provides care on an acute medical unit has observed that physicians are frequently reluctant to refer patients to hospice care. What are contributing factors that are known to underlie this tendency? Select all that apply.
- A. Financial pressures on health care providers
- B. Patient reluctance to accept this type of care
- C. Strong association of hospice care with prolonging death
- D. Advances in curative treatment in late-stage illness E) Ease of making a terminal diagnosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Financial pressures on health care providers. Physicians may be reluctant to refer patients to hospice care due to financial pressures. This could be because hospice care may be seen as less profitable compared to other treatments or services. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Patient reluctance is not a contributing factor from the physician's perspective. C: Hospice care is actually focused on comfort and quality of life, not prolonging death. D: Advances in curative treatment may not be directly related to physician reluctance to refer to hospice. E: Ease of making a terminal diagnosis is not a significant factor influencing physician reluctance.