The clinical nurse educator is presenting health promotion education to a patient who will be treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma on an outpatient basis. The nurse should recommend which of the following actions?
- A. Avoiding direct sun exposure in excess of 15 minutes daily
- B. Avoiding grapefruit juice and fresh grapefruit
- C. Avoiding highly crowded public places
- D. Using an electric shaver rather than a razor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) often experience a compromised immune system due to both the disease itself and the effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which cause myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells, including white blood cells). This puts them at significant risk for infections. Avoiding crowded places is a crucial preventive measure, as it reduces the patient's exposure to pathogens that could lead to infections, which can be particularly severe due to their weakened immune system.
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A patient was admitted with gastric cancer. The patient asks the nurse about things to expect while receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following statements of the nurse shows incompetence?
- A. You can expect hair loss, but do not worry it will grow back immediately
- B. You may be infected easily, so avoid going to overpopulated places
- C. We may need to monitor your uric acid levels
- D. We may need to monitor your RBCs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: While hair loss (alopecia) is a common side effect of chemotherapy due to the damage to rapidly dividing hair follicle cells, the statement that hair will grow back "immediately" is inaccurate and misleading. Hair regrowth after chemotherapy takes time, typically starting a few weeks to months after treatment ends. The new hair may also have a different texture or color initially. Therefore, this statement indicates a lack of understanding and could give the patient unrealistic expectations, which is why it shows incompetence.
The nurse is instructing the 35 year old client to perform a testicular self-examination. The nurse tells the client:
- A. To examine the testicles while lying down
- B. That the best time for the examination is after a shower
- C. To gently feel the testicle with one finger to feel for a growth
- D. That testicular self-examination should be done at least every 6 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to begin chemotherapy treatment and the nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about potential adverse effects. When addressing the most common adverse effect, what should the nurse describe?
- A. Pruritis (itching)
- B. Nausea and vomiting
- C. Altered glucose metabolism
- D. Confusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are among the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, but they also affect healthy cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, triggering the release of chemicals that stimulate the brain's vomiting center. These side effects can occur immediately (acute), be delayed, or even anticipatory, and often require management with antiemetic (anti-nausea) medications to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life during treatment.
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.
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: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is typically treated with targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which can help control the disease and prolong survival. The effectiveness of these medications relies heavily on strict adherence to the prescribed drug regimen. Patients need to take their medication consistently and as directed to maintain therapeutic drug levels and effectively manage the disease. Non-adherence can lead to disease progression or resistance to treatment, which is why it is crucial for the nurse to emphasize this point during health education.