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 patient's physician
- C. Continuing the infusion but decreasing the rate
- D. Applying a warm compress to the infusion site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when observing swelling and pain at the IV site during the administration of doxorubicin hydrochloride is to stop the administration of the drug immediately. Doxorubicin hydrochloride can cause severe tissue damage, so discontinuing the infusion is crucial to prevent further harm to the patient. Notifying the physician is important, but it should not take precedence over stopping the drug. Continuing the infusion, even at a decreased rate, can exacerbate tissue damage. Applying a warm compress is not appropriate in this situation and may worsen the tissue injury caused by the drug.
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What advice should the oncology nurse give to a client planning a beach vacation after completing radiation treatments for cancer?
- A. Avoid getting salt water on the radiation site.
- B. Do not expose the radiation area to direct sunlight.
- C. Have a wonderful time and enjoy your vacation!
- D. Remember you should not drink alcohol for a year.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the skin at the radiation site is sensitive to sunlight, and exposure can cause further damage. It is crucial to protect the area from direct sunlight to prevent skin irritation or burns. Choice A is incorrect as salt water typically does not pose a significant risk to the radiation site. Choice C is a positive and encouraging response but does not provide necessary advice for post-radiation care. Choice D, while important in some cases, is not directly related to the client's beach vacation after completing radiation treatments.
The patient is anxious about subjection to radiation therapy. Which of the following statements of the student nurse requires additional teaching?
- A. Teletherapy is radiation from an external source.
- B. Brachytherapy can be administered via oral or IV.
- C. Brachytherapy is a radiation from inside the patient's body.
- D. Chemotherapy is effective in killing all cancer cells.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the statement 'Chemotherapy is effective in killing all cancer cells' is incorrect. Chemotherapy does not kill all cancer cells and is not the same as radiation therapy. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, but it may not kill every single cancer cell. It is important for the student nurse to understand and communicate this distinction to the patient. Choices A, B, and C provide accurate information about teletherapy, brachytherapy, and chemotherapy, respectively, and do not require additional teaching.
The nurse manager is teaching the nursing staff about signs and symptoms related to hypercalcemia in a client with metastatic prostate cancer and tells the staff that which is a late sign of this oncological emergency?
- A. Headache
- B. Dysphagia
- C. Constipation
- D. Electrocardiographic changes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Electrocardiographic changes. In clients with metastatic prostate cancer, hypercalcemia can lead to various signs and symptoms. Electrocardiographic changes are considered a late sign of hypercalcemia, indicating severe electrolyte imbalance. Headache (choice A), dysphagia (choice B), and constipation (choice C) are earlier signs of hypercalcemia and may precede the development of more severe symptoms like electrocardiographic changes.
Nurse Farah is caring for a client following a mastectomy. Which assessment finding indicates that the client is experiencing a complication related to the surgery?
- A. Pain at the incision site
- B. Arm edema on the operative side
- C. Sanguineous drainage in the Jackson-Pratt drain
- D. Complaints of decreased sensation near the operative site
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Arm edema on the operative side (lymphedema) is a known complication after a mastectomy. This can indicate impaired lymphatic drainage, leading to fluid accumulation in the arm. Pain at the incision site is expected postoperatively and may not necessarily indicate a complication. Sanguineous drainage in the Jackson-Pratt drain is a common finding in the immediate postoperative period. Complaints of decreased sensation near the operative site could be related to nerve damage or surgical manipulation, but it is not a typical complication after a mastectomy.
A patient with Hodgkin lymphoma is receiving chemotherapy. Which side effect is the nurse most concerned about?
- A. Nausea and vomiting
- B. Alopecia
- C. Fatigue
- D. Peripheral neuropathy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Peripheral neuropathy. This can be a serious and dose-limiting side effect of chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. Peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet due to nerve damage. While nausea and vomiting, alopecia, and fatigue are common side effects of chemotherapy, they are not typically as concerning or dose-limiting as peripheral neuropathy in the context of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment.