Chapter 22: Care of Patients with Cancer

Chapter 22: Care of Patients with Cancer

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A nurse in the oncology clinic is providing preoperative education to a client just diagnosed with cancer. The client has been scheduled for surgery in 3 days. What action by the nurse is best?
   1. Call the client at home the next day to review teaching.
   2. Give the client information about a cancer support group.
   3. Provide all the preoperative instructions in writing.
   4. Reassure the client that surgery will be over soon.

ANS:   A

Clients are often overwhelmed at a sudden diagnosis of cancer and may be more overwhelmed at the idea of a major operation so soon. This stress significantly impacts the client’s ability to understand, retain, and recall information. The nurse should call the client at home the next day to review the teaching and to answer questions. The client may or may not be ready to investigate a support group, but this does not help with teaching. Giving information in writing is important (if the client can read it), but in itself will not be enough. Telling the client that surgery will be over soon is giving false reassurance and does nothing for teaching.

DIF:     Applying/Application                         REF: 373

KEY:   Cancer| patient education| psychosocial response

MSC:   Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning

NOT:   Client Needs Category: Psychosocial Integrity

2. A nurse reads on a hospitalized client’s chart that the client is receiving teletherapy. What action by the nurse is best?
   1. Coordinate continuation of the therapy.
   2. Place the client on radiation precautions.
   3. No action by the nurse is needed at this time.
   4. Restrict visitors to only adults over age 18.

ANS:   A

The client needs to continue with radiation therapy, and the nurse can coordinate this with the appropriate department. The client is not radioactive, so radiation precautions and limiting visitors are not necessary.

DIF:     Applying/Application                         REF: 375                     KEY: Cancer| radiation therapy| communication| collaboration  MSC:            Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation  NOT:   Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care

3. A new nurse has been assigned a client who is in the hospital to receive iodine-131 treatment. Which action by the nurse is best?
   1. Ensure the client is placed in protective isolation.
   2. Hand off a pregnant client to another nurse.
   3. No special action is necessary to care for this client.
   4. Read the policy on handling radioactive excreta.

ANS:           D

This type of radioisotope is excreted in body fluids and excreta (urine and feces) and should not be handled directly. The nurse should read the facility’s policy for handling and disposing of this type of waste. The other actions are not warranted.

DIF:            Applying/Application                         REF:    375

KEY:          Cancer| radiation therapy

MSC:          Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation           NOT: Client Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control

4. A client in the oncology clinic reports her family is frustrated at her ongoing fatigue 4 months after radiation therapy for breast cancer. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?
   1. “Are you getting adequate rest and sleep each day?”
   2. “It is normal to be fatigued even for years afterward.”
   3. “This is not normal and I’ll let the provider know.”
   4. “Try adding more vitamins B and C to your diet.”

ANS:           B

Regardless of the cause, radiation-induced fatigue can be debilitating and may last for months or years after treatment has ended. Rest and adequate nutrition can affect fatigue, but it is most important that the client understands this is normal.

DIF:            Understanding/Comprehension         REF:    375                   KEY: Cancer| radiation therapy| fatigue        MSC:                                                  Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning NOT:                     Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation