Nokea
The hospice nurse is caring for a patient with cancer in her home. The nurse has explained to the patient and the family that the patient is at risk for hypercalcemia and has educated them on that signs and symptoms of this health problem. What else should the nurse teach this patient and family to do to reduce the patients risk of hypercalcemia?
- A. Stool softeners are contraindicated
- B. Laxatives should be taken daily
- C. Consume 2 to 4 L of fluid daily
- D. Restrict calcium intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should identify patients at risk for hypercalcemia, assess for signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia, and educate the patient and family. The nurse should teach at-risk patients to recognize and report signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia and encourage patients to consume 2 to 4 L of fluid daily unless contraindicated by existing renal or cardiac disease. Also, the nurse should explain the use of dietary and pharmacologic interventions, such as stool softeners and laxatives for constipation, and advise patients to maintain nutritional intake without restricting normal calcium intake.
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A patients most recent diagnostic imaging has revealed that his lung cancer has metastasized to his bones and liver. What is the most likely mechanism by which the patients cancer cells spread?
- A. Hematologic spread
- B. Lymphatic circulation
- C. Invasion
- D. Angiogenesis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lymph and blood are key mechanisms by which cancer cells spread. Lymphatic spread (the transport of tumor cells through the lymphatic circulation) is the most common mechanism of metastasis.
The hospice nurse has just admitted a new patient to the program. What principle guides hospice care?
- A. Care addresses the needs of the patient as well as the needs of the family
- B. Care is focused on the patient centrally and the rest of the family is secondary
- C. The focus of all aspects of care is solely on the patient
- D. The care team prioritizes the patients physical needs and the family is responsible for the patients emotional needs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The focus of hospice care is on the family as well as the patient. The family is not solely responsible for the patients emotional well-being.
While a patient is receiving IV doxorubicin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer, the nurse observes swelling and pain at the IV site. The nurse should prioritize what action?
- A. Stopping the administration of the drug immediately
- B. Notifying the patients physician
- C. Continuing the infusion but decreasing the rate
- D. Applying a warm compress to the infusion site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Doxorubicin hydrochloride is a chemotherapeutic vesicant that can cause severe tissue damage. The nurse should stop the administration of the drug immediately and then notify the patients physician. Ice can be applied to the site once the drug therapy has stopped.
The nurse is admitting an oncology patient to the unit prior to surgery. The nurse reads in the electronic health record that the patient has just finished radiation therapy. With knowledge of the consequent health risks, the nurse should prioritize assessments related to what health problem?
- A. Cognitive deficits
- B. Impaired wound healing
- C. Cardiac tamponade
- D. Tumor lysis syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Combining other treatment methods, such as radiation and chemotherapy, with surgery contributes to postoperative complications, such as infection, impaired wound healing, altered pulmonary or renal function, and the development of deep vein thrombosis.
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: Fatigue and weakness result from radiation treatment and usually do not represent deterioration or disease progression. The symptoms associated with radiation therapy usually decrease after therapy ends. The symptoms may concern the patient and should not be belittled. Radiation destroys both cancerous and normal cells.