The nurse discusses the self-care guidelines to minimize the side effects of radiation on the skin. Which actions to reduce radiation skin reactions should the nurse explain to the client?
- A. Wear loose-fitting, soft clothing over the treated skin.
- B. Use a straight-edged razor to shave hair in the treated area.
- C. Swim only in swimming pools to avoid stagnant water.
- D. Use only skin-care products suggested by the radiation staff.
- E. Apply skin products immediately after radiation treatment.
- F. Wash treated area gently with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Correct Answer: A, D, F,
Rationale: Wearing loose-fitting, soft clothing over the treated skin is a recommended skin-care activity to reduce radiation skin reactions. B. The use of an electric, not a straight-edged, razor for shaving a treated area is recommended. C. Clients are advised to avoid swimming in chlorinated water. D. Using only skin-care products suggested by the radiation staff is a recommended skin-care activity to reduce radiation skin reactions. E. Clients are advised to delay the application of skin-care products within 4 hours of radiation treatment. F. Washing the treated area gently with lukewarm water and mild soap is a recommended skin-care activity to reduce radiation skin reactions.
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Which sign would the nurse expect to assess in the client diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)?
- A. Petechiae on the anterior chest, arms, and neck.
- B. Capillary refill of less than three (3) seconds.
- C. An enlarged spleen.
- D. Pulse oximeter reading of 95%.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ITP causes low platelets, leading to petechiae (A). Capillary refill (B) is normal, splenomegaly (C) is not primary, and SpO2 95% (D) is normal.
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.
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.
The nurse is caring for a client who is thought to have pernicious anemia. What signs and symptoms would the nurse expect in this person?
- A. Easy bruising
- B. Beefy-red tongue
- C. Fine red rash on the extremities
- D. Pruritus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A beefy-red tongue is a hallmark symptom of pernicious anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
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.