MED SURG FINAL EXAM AND CORRECT
ANSWERS | VERIFIED | UPDATED 2026.
1. The nurse is caring for a client with end-stage ovarian cancer who needs clarification on the
purpose of palliative surgery. Which outcome should the nurse teach the client is the goal
of palliative surgery?
Allowing other therapies to be more effective
Relief of symptoms or improved quality of life
Prolonging the client’s survival time
Cure of the cancer
2. Which statement made by a client allows the nurse to recognize whether the client
receiving brachytherapy for ovarian cancer understands the treatment?
“I will have a radioactive device in my body for a short time.”
“I will be placed in a semiprivate room for company.”
“I may lose my hair during this treatment.”
“I must be positioned in the same way during each treatment.”
,Brachytherapy refers to short-term insertion of a radiation source. Side effects of radiation therapy
are site-specific.
Because radiation therapy is site-specific; this client is unlikely to experience hair loss from treating
ovarian cancer with radiation. The client undergoing teletherapy (external beam radiation), not
brachytherapy, must be positioned precisely in the same position each time. The client who is receiving
brachytherapy must be in a private room.
3. When caring for a client receiving chemotherapy, the nurse plans care during the nadir of
bone marrow activity to prevent which complication?
, Dose-limiting side effects
Infection
Drug toxicity
Polycythemia
The lowest point of bone marrow function is referred to as the nadir; risk for infection is highest during this
phase.
Drug toxicity can develop when drug levels exceed peak concentrations. Polycythemia refers to an increase
in the number of red blood cells; typically chemotherapy causes reduction of red blood cells or anemia.
Dose limiting side effects occur when the dose or frequency of chemotherapy need to be altered or
held, such as in the case of severe neutropenia or neurologic dysfunction.
4. The nurse teaches a client that intraperitoneal chemotherapy will be delivered to which
part of the body?
Lung
Heart
Veins of the legs
Abdominal cavity
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is placed in the peritoneal cavity or the abdominal cavity.
Intravenous drugs are delivered through veins. Chemotherapy delivered into the lungs is typically placed in
the pleural space (intrapleural). Chemotherapy is not typically delivered into the heart.
5. The oncology nurse is caring for a group of clients receiving chemotherapy. The client
with which sign/symptom is displaying bone marrow suppression?
ANSWERS | VERIFIED | UPDATED 2026.
1. The nurse is caring for a client with end-stage ovarian cancer who needs clarification on the
purpose of palliative surgery. Which outcome should the nurse teach the client is the goal
of palliative surgery?
Allowing other therapies to be more effective
Relief of symptoms or improved quality of life
Prolonging the client’s survival time
Cure of the cancer
2. Which statement made by a client allows the nurse to recognize whether the client
receiving brachytherapy for ovarian cancer understands the treatment?
“I will have a radioactive device in my body for a short time.”
“I will be placed in a semiprivate room for company.”
“I may lose my hair during this treatment.”
“I must be positioned in the same way during each treatment.”
,Brachytherapy refers to short-term insertion of a radiation source. Side effects of radiation therapy
are site-specific.
Because radiation therapy is site-specific; this client is unlikely to experience hair loss from treating
ovarian cancer with radiation. The client undergoing teletherapy (external beam radiation), not
brachytherapy, must be positioned precisely in the same position each time. The client who is receiving
brachytherapy must be in a private room.
3. When caring for a client receiving chemotherapy, the nurse plans care during the nadir of
bone marrow activity to prevent which complication?
, Dose-limiting side effects
Infection
Drug toxicity
Polycythemia
The lowest point of bone marrow function is referred to as the nadir; risk for infection is highest during this
phase.
Drug toxicity can develop when drug levels exceed peak concentrations. Polycythemia refers to an increase
in the number of red blood cells; typically chemotherapy causes reduction of red blood cells or anemia.
Dose limiting side effects occur when the dose or frequency of chemotherapy need to be altered or
held, such as in the case of severe neutropenia or neurologic dysfunction.
4. The nurse teaches a client that intraperitoneal chemotherapy will be delivered to which
part of the body?
Lung
Heart
Veins of the legs
Abdominal cavity
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is placed in the peritoneal cavity or the abdominal cavity.
Intravenous drugs are delivered through veins. Chemotherapy delivered into the lungs is typically placed in
the pleural space (intrapleural). Chemotherapy is not typically delivered into the heart.
5. The oncology nurse is caring for a group of clients receiving chemotherapy. The client
with which sign/symptom is displaying bone marrow suppression?
