Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A 50-year-old man diagnosed with leukemia will begin chemotherapy. What would the nurse do to combat the most common adverse effects of chemotherapy?

• A. Administer an antiemetic.
• B. Administer an antimetabolite.
• C. Administer a tumor antibiotic.
• D. Administer an anticoagulant.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer an antiemetic. Chemotherapy commonly causes nausea and vomiting as adverse effects. Antiemetics are medications specifically used to prevent or treat these symptoms. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because administering an antimetabolite, a tumor antibiotic, or an anticoagulant would not directly address the most common adverse effects of chemotherapy, which are nausea and vomiting.

3. What is a characteristic of normal cells?

• A. They have no functions
• B. They have a larger nucleus
• C. They undergo apoptosis
• D. They have a dark-colored nucleus

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is that normal cells undergo apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death process essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Choice A is incorrect as normal cells do have specific functions. Choice B is incorrect as the size of the nucleus may vary but is not a defining characteristic of normal cells. Choice D is incorrect as the color of the nucleus is not a standard characteristic of normal cells.

4. Nurse Mandy is teaching a client about the side effects of radiation therapy. Which of the following should the nurse emphasize?

• A. Radiation therapy is painless.
• B. You may experience hair loss.
• C. Fatigue is a common side effect.
• D. You may experience nausea and vomiting.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Fatigue is one of the most frequent and profound side effects of radiation therapy. It often occurs because radiation can damage both cancerous and healthy cells, and the body requires energy to repair the damage caused by the treatment. Fatigue from radiation can be cumulative, meaning it may worsen as treatments progress, and can significantly affect the client’s daily activities, requiring the nurse to educate the client on energy conservation techniques.

5. The clinic nurse is caring for a patient whose grandmother and sister have both had breast cancer. She requested a screening test to determine her risk of developing breast cancer and it has come back positive. The patient asks you what she can do to help prevent breast cancer from occurring. What would be your best response?

• A. Research has shown that eating a healthy diet can provide all the protection you need against breast cancer.
• B. Research has shown that taking the drug tamoxifen can reduce your chance of breast cancer.
• C. Research has shown that exercising at least 30 minutes every day can reduce your chance of breast cancer.
• D. Research has shown that there is little you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer if you have a genetic predisposition.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who are at high risk, particularly those with a family history of the disease or a positive genetic test for BRCA mutations. Large-scale studies have demonstrated that tamoxifen can reduce the incidence of breast cancer by up to 50% in high-risk women. It works by blocking estrogen receptors in breast tissue, which helps prevent the development of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.

Similar Questions