Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a patient with an advanced stage of breast cancer and the patient has recently learned that her cancer has metastasized. The nurse enters the room and finds the patient struggling to breathe and the nurse’s rapid assessment reveals that the patient’s jugular veins are distended. The nurse should suspect the development of what oncologic emergency?

• A. Increased intracranial pressure
• B. Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS)
• C. Spinal cord compression
• D. Metastatic tumor of the neck

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when the superior vena cava, the large vein responsible for returning blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes obstructed or compressed, often due to a tumor, such as metastasized breast cancer. SVCS results in impaired venous drainage, leading to symptoms like distended jugular veins, facial swelling, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and upper body edema. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt intervention to restore blood flow and alleviate symptoms.

2. A 16-year-old female patient experiences alopecia resulting from chemotherapy, prompting the nursing diagnoses of disturbed body image and situational low self-esteem. What action by the patient would best indicate that she is meeting the goal of improved body image and self-esteem?

• A. The patient requests that her family bring her makeup and wig.
• B. The patient begins to discuss the future with her family.
• C. The patient reports less disruption from pain and discomfort.
• D. The patient cries openly when discussing her disease.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a patient experiences alopecia due to chemotherapy, it can significantly impact their self-esteem and body image, particularly in adolescents who are especially sensitive to physical changes. A request for makeup and a wig indicates that the patient is actively taking steps to enhance her appearance and cope with the changes brought on by her treatment. This action reflects a positive engagement with her body image and suggests a desire to feel more comfortable and confident in her appearance, signaling an improvement in her self-esteem.

3. The nurse is teaching a client about the risk factors associated with colorectal cancer. The nurse determines that further teaching is necessary related to colorectal cancer if the client identifies which item as an associated risk factor?

• A. Age younger than 50 years
• B. History of colorectal polyps
• C. Family history of colorectal cancer
• D. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Age younger than 50 years. Colorectal cancer is more commonly diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50, so being younger than 50 is not typically considered a significant risk factor. Choice B, history of colorectal polyps, is a known risk factor as polyps can develop into cancer over time. Choice C, family history of colorectal cancer, is a well-established risk factor due to genetic predisposition. Choice D, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Therefore, the incorrect choice is A as age younger than 50 years is not a common risk factor for colorectal cancer.

4. The patient is anxious about subjection to radiation therapy. Which of the following statements of the student nurse requires additional teaching?

• A. Teletherapy is radiation from an external source.
• B. Brachytherapy can be administered via oral or IV.
• C. Brachytherapy is a radiation from inside the patient's body.
• D. Chemotherapy is effective in killing all cancer cells.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the statement 'Chemotherapy is effective in killing all cancer cells' is incorrect. Chemotherapy does not kill all cancer cells and is not the same as radiation therapy. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, but it may not kill every single cancer cell. It is important for the student nurse to understand and communicate this distinction to the patient. Choices A, B, and C provide accurate information about teletherapy, brachytherapy, and chemotherapy, respectively, and do not require additional teaching.

5. 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.

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