ATI RN
ATI Oncology Questions
1. A client has a platelet count of 9800/mm3. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Assess the client for calf pain, warmth, and redness.
- B. Instruct the client to call for help to get out of bed.
- C. Obtain cultures as per the facility’s standing policy.
- D. Place the client on protective Isolation Precautions.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A platelet count of 9800/mm³ indicates severe thrombocytopenia, placing the client at high risk for bleeding, even with minor trauma or injury. Instructing the client to call for help before getting out of bed ensures they receive assistance with mobility, which reduces the risk of falls or injuries that could lead to serious bleeding. Preventing any activity that could result in trauma is crucial when managing clients with very low platelet counts.
2. A nurse is creating a plan of care for an oncology patient and one of the identified nursing diagnoses is risk for infection related to myelosuppression. What intervention addresses the leading cause of infection-related death in oncology patients?
- A. Encourage several small meals daily.
- B. Provide skin care to maintain skin integrity.
- C. Assist the patient with hygiene, as needed.
- D. Assess the integrity of the patient’s oral mucosa regularly.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In oncology patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, myelosuppression (the decrease in bone marrow activity that leads to reduced white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) increases the risk of infection. Maintaining skin integrity is crucial because the skin acts as the body's first line of defense against infections. If the skin becomes compromised, such as through radiation burns, rashes, or breakdowns, it provides a potential entry point for pathogens, increasing the risk of infection. Since infections in oncology patients can quickly become severe due to their weakened immune systems, maintaining skin integrity is a critical intervention to reduce infection risk, especially for patients who are immunosuppressed.
3. The nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for tumor lysis syndrome. Which laboratory value requires the nurse to intervene?
- A. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- B. Increased serum calcium
- C. Increased creatinine level
- D. Increased blood glucose level
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when large numbers of cancer cells die rapidly, releasing their contents into the bloodstream. This can overwhelm the kidneys and lead to acute kidney injury. Creatinine is a waste product filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, and an elevated creatinine level is a sign of kidney dysfunction or damage. In TLS, increased creatinine levels indicate that the kidneys are struggling to filter out the excess waste products from cell breakdown, requiring immediate intervention to prevent further complications, such as acute renal failure.
4. A nurse practitioner is assessing a patient who has a fever, malaise, and a white blood cell count that is elevated. Which of the following principles should guide the nurses management of the patients care?
- A. There is a need for the patient to be assessed for lymphoma.
- B. Infection is the most likely cause of the patients change in health status.
- C. The patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of leukemia.
- D. The patient should undergo diagnostic testing for multiple myeloma.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: An elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, also known as leukocytosis, is most commonly a response to infection. When the body detects an infection, the immune system responds by increasing the production of white blood cells to fight off the invading pathogens. The accompanying symptoms of fever and malaise are typical signs of infection, supporting the likelihood that this patient’s health status is related to an infectious process rather than a more serious hematologic condition like lymphoma or leukemia.
5. A patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is receiving induction therapy. What is the priority nursing intervention during this phase of treatment?
- A. Administering pain management
- B. Monitoring for signs of infection
- C. Providing emotional support
- D. Monitoring fluid balance
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) involves intensive chemotherapy aimed at achieving remission by eliminating a large number of cancerous cells. However, this aggressive treatment also severely reduces the production of healthy blood cells, including neutrophils, which leads to neutropenia (a dangerously low number of neutrophils). This makes the patient highly susceptible to infections, which can be life-threatening. Monitoring for signs of infection is critical during this phase, as infections may occur quickly and progress rapidly due to the compromised immune system. Early detection and prompt treatment of infections are vital to improving patient outcomes during induction therapy.
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