ATI RN
ATI Oncology Quiz
1. A patient on the oncology unit is receiving carmustine, a chemotherapy agent, and the nurse is aware that a significant side effect of this medication is thrombocytopenia. Which symptom should the nurse assess for in patients at risk for thrombocytopenia?
- A. Interrupted sleep pattern
- B. Hot flashes
- C. Epistaxis (nose bleed)
- D. Increased weight
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding and hemorrhage. Patients receiving chemotherapy agents like carmustine may experience thrombocytopenia as a significant side effect. Epistaxis (nosebleeds) is a common symptom associated with thrombocytopenia, as the blood vessels can become more fragile, and even minor trauma or spontaneous bleeding can occur. Therefore, assessing for signs of bleeding, including epistaxis, is crucial in patients at risk for thrombocytopenia.
2. Which of the following is considered correct in dealing with a patient who has gastric cancer?
- A. After total gastrectomy, patient will have to increase fluids during meals
- B. After total gastrectomy, patient will need lots of fiber in the diet
- C. After total gastrectomy, patient will have to walk about after meals
- D. After total gastrectomy, patient will have to lie flat on bed after meals
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After a total gastrectomy, where the entire stomach is removed, patients can experience dumping syndrome due to the rapid passage of food into the small intestine. This condition can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Lying flat after meals can help slow down the movement of food into the intestines, reducing the risk of dumping syndrome. It's important for patients to follow dietary recommendations and positioning strategies to manage symptoms effectively.
3. A client with breast cancer is receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin). The nurse monitors the client closely for:
- A. Pulmonary fibrosis
- B. Cardiotoxicity
- C. Hepatotoxicity
- D. Nephrotoxicity
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is an anthracycline chemotherapy agent commonly used to treat various cancers, including breast cancer. One of the significant side effects associated with doxorubicin is cardiotoxicity, which can lead to serious complications such as heart failure and arrhythmias. The risk of cardiotoxicity is dose-dependent, meaning that higher cumulative doses increase the likelihood of cardiac damage. Therefore, it is essential for nurses to monitor cardiac function closely through assessments such as echocardiograms or monitoring for signs and symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema.
4. A nurse enters the room of a patient with bladder cancer. The patient asks the nurse about the actions of chemotherapeutic drugs. Which of the following statements by the nurse is correct?
- A. Chemotherapeutic drugs will kill all of your cancer cells
- B. Chemotherapeutic medications are attracted mostly to slowly dividing cells
- C. Chemotherapy can cure cancer
- D. Chemotherapy is specifically destroying cancer cells
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Chemotherapy drugs are designed to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells. Cancer cells often divide more quickly than normal cells, and chemotherapeutic agents exploit this characteristic to inhibit their growth and promote cell death. While chemotherapy can also affect other rapidly dividing normal cells (such as those in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles), the primary goal is to target cancerous cells.
5. The nurse is reviewing the history of a client with bladder cancer. The nurse expects to note documentation of which most common symptom of this type of cancer?
- A. Dysuria
- B. Hematuria
- C. Urgency on urination
- D. Frequency of urination
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is the most common and distinctive symptom associated with bladder cancer. It can present as either gross hematuria (visible blood) or microscopic hematuria (detected only through urinalysis). The presence of blood in the urine often prompts further evaluation for potential underlying causes, including bladder cancer. It is crucial for healthcare providers to recognize this symptom, as early detection significantly impacts treatment outcomes.
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