Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is to begin receiving external radiation for a malignant tumor of the neck. While providing patient education, what potential adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?

• A. Impaired nutritional status
• B. Cognitive changes
• C. Diarrhea
• D. Alopecia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Impaired nutritional status is a potential adverse effect of radiotherapy to the head and neck due to alterations in oral mucosa and taste. While cognitive changes, diarrhea, and alopecia can be side effects of other treatments or conditions, they are not typically associated with external radiation for a malignant tumor of the neck. Therefore, the nurse should primarily focus on discussing the risk of impaired nutritional status with the patient.

2. A patient was admitted with gastric cancer. The patient asks the nurse about things to expect while receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following statements of the nurse shows incompetence?

• A. You can expect hair loss, but do not worry it will grow back immediately
• B. You may be infected easily, so avoid going to overpopulated places
• C. We may need to monitor your uric acid levels
• D. We may need to monitor your RBCs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: While hair loss (alopecia) is a common side effect of chemotherapy due to the damage to rapidly dividing hair follicle cells, the statement that hair will grow back "immediately" is inaccurate and misleading. Hair regrowth after chemotherapy takes time, typically starting a few weeks to months after treatment ends. The new hair may also have a different texture or color initially. Therefore, this statement indicates a lack of understanding and could give the patient unrealistic expectations, which is why it shows incompetence.

3. 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.

4. The home health care nurse is caring for a client with cancer who is complaining of acute pain. The most appropriate determination of the client's pain should include which assessment?

• A. The client's pain rating
• B. Nonverbal cues from the client
• C. The nurse's impression of the client's pain
• D. Pain relief after appropriate nursing intervention

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The client's pain rating. Pain assessment should primarily rely on the client's self-report for the most accurate determination of pain intensity. Nonverbal cues from the client (choice B) can provide additional information but should not replace the client's self-report. The nurse's impression of the client's pain (choice C) may be subjective and less reliable than the client's self-assessment. Pain relief after appropriate nursing intervention (choice D) is an important outcome but does not replace the initial assessment of the client's pain.

5. The nurse is monitoring a client for signs and symptoms related to superior vena cava syndrome. Which is an early sign of this oncological emergency?

• A. Cyanosis
• B. Arm edema
• C. Periorbital edema
• D. Mental status changes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when the superior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes compressed or obstructed, often by a tumor or enlarged lymph nodes, typically in cancers like lung cancer or lymphoma. The obstruction leads to increased venous pressure and reduced blood flow, resulting in swelling and edema in areas drained by the superior vena cava. Periorbital edema (swelling around the eyes) is one of the earliest signs of SVCS. This occurs because the impaired venous return causes fluid to accumulate in the soft tissues of the face, especially around the eyes. As the condition progresses, facial swelling can worsen, and other symptoms develop.

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