Papanikolla - Cancer NCLEX Questions with Correct Answers
Question 1.
A nurse cares for a client who has a genetic mutation that in-creases the risk for colon
can-cer. The client states that he does not want any family to know about this result. How
should the nurse respond?
a. "It is required by law that you inform your siblings and chil-dren about this result so that
they also can be tested and monitored for colon cancer."
b. "It is not necessary to tell your siblings because they are adults, but you should tell your
children so that they can be tested before they decide to have children of their own."
c. "It is not required that you tell anyone about this result. However, your siblings and
chil-dren may also be at risk for colon cancer and this informa-tion might help them."
Correct Answer: ANS: C This situation represents an ethical dilemma. It is the
decision whether to disclose the information. However, the information can
others in the client's family. The law does not require the client to tell family
about the results, nor can the client be held liable for not telling them. The
may consider it ethically correct for the client to tell family members so that
can take action to prevent the development of cancer, but the nurse must
the client's decision.
Question 2.
A nurse cares for a client who recently completed genet-ic testing that revealed that she
has a BRCA1 gene mutation. Which actions should the nurse take next? (Select all that
ap-ply.) a. Discuss potential risks for other members of her family.
b. Assist the client to make a plan for prevention and risk re-duction.
c. Disclose the information to the medical insurance compa-ny.
d. Recommend the client com-plete weekly breast self-exami-nations.
e. Assess the client's response to the test results.
f. Encourage support by shar-ing the results with family members.
Correct Answer: ANS: A, B, E The medical-surgical nurse can assess the client's
to the test results, discuss potential risks for other fami-ly members, encourage
counseling, and assist the client to make a plan for prevention, risk reduction,
early detection. For some positive genetic test results, such as having a BRCA1
mutation, the risk for developing
breast cancer is high but is not a certainty. Because the risk is high, the client
have a plan for prevention and risk reduction. One form of prevention is early
Breast self-examinations may be helpful when performed monthly, but those
every week may not be useful, especially around the time of menses. A client
tests positive for a BRCA1 mutation should have at least yearly mammograms
ovarian ultrasounds to detect cancer at an early stage, when it is more easily
Question 3.
A nurse obtains health histo-ries when admitting clients to a medical-surgical unit. With
which client should the nurse discuss predisposition genetic testing?
,a. Middle-aged woman whose mother died at age 48 of breast cancer
b. Young man who has all the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
c. Pregnant woman whose fa-ther has sickle cell disease d. Middle-aged man of Eastern
European Jewish ancestry
Correct Answer: ANS: A A client with a family history of breast cancer should be
information about predisposition testing. Predisposi-tion testing should be
with clients who are at high risk of hereditary breast, ovarian, and colorectal
so that the client can engage in heightened screening activities or interventions
reduce risk.
Question 4.
The nursing instructor explains the difference between normal cells and benign tumor
cells. What information does the in-structor provide about these cells?
a. Benign tumors grow through invasion of other tissue.
b. Benign tumors have lost their cellular regulation from contact inhibition.
c. Growing in the wrong place or time is typical of benign tu-mors.
d. The loss of characteristics of the parent cells is called anapla-sia.
Correct Answer: ANS: C Benign tumors are basically normal cells growing in the
place or at the wrong time. Benign cells grow through hyperplasia, not invasion.
tumor cells retain contact inhibition. Anaplasia is a characteristic of cancer cells
**Benign has smaller than normal nucleus**
Question 5.
A nurse has taught a client about dietary changes that can reduce the chances of
develop-ing cancer. What statement by the client indicates the nurse needs to provide
additional teaching?
a. "Foods high in vitamin A and vitamin C are important."
b. "I'll have to cut down on the amount of bacon I eat." c. "I'm so glad I don't have to give
up my juicy steaks."
d. "Vegetables, fruit, and high-fiber grains are impor-tant."
Correct Answer: ANS: C To decrease the risk of developing cancer, one should
down on the consumption of red meats and animal fat. The other statements
correct.
Question 6.
A nurse is participating in pri-mary prevention efforts direct-ed against cancer. In which
ac-tivities is this nurse most likely to engage? (Select all that ap-ply.)
a. Demonstrating breast self-examination methods to women
b. Instructing people on the use of chemoprevention
c. Providing vaccinations against certain cancers
d. Screening teenage girls for cervical cancer
e. Teaching teens the dangers of tanning booths
Correct Answer: ANS: B, C, E Primary prevention aims to prevent the occurrence
a dis-ease or disorder, in this case cancer. Secondary prevention in-cludes
and early diagnosis. Primary prevention ac-tivities include teaching people
chemoprevention, pro-viding approved vaccinations to prevent cancer, and
, teens the dangers of tanning beds. Breast examinations and screening for
cancer are secondary prevention meth-ods.
Question 7.
A client receiving intravenous chemotherapy asks the nurse the reason for wearing a
mask, gloves, and gown while ad-ministering drugs to the client. What is the nurse's best
re-sponse? a."These coverings protect you from getting an infection from me."
b."I am preventing the spread of infection from you to me or any other client here."
c."The policy is for any nurse giving these drugs to wear a gown, gloves, and mask."
d."The clothing protects me from accidentally absorbing these drugs."
Correct Answer: ANS: D Most chemotherapy drugs are absorbed through the
and mucous membranes. As a result, health care workers who prepare or give
drugs, especially nurses and phar-macists, are at risk for absorbing them. Even
low doses, chronic exposure to chemotherapy drugs can affect health. The
Nursing Society and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
specific guidelines
for using caution and wearing protective clothing whenever preparing, giving,
disposing of chemotherapy drugs.
Question 8.
A client is on chemotherapy and has a platelet count of 25,000. Which intervention is most
im-portant to teach this client?
a. "Eat a low-bacteria diet."
b. "Take your temperature daily."
c. "Use a soft-bristled tooth-brush."
Correct Answer: ANS: C This client has thrombocytopenia, which is a common
effect of chemotherapy. This increases the client's risk for pro-longed bleeding
response to even minor injury, especially from highly vascular areas such as the
The client should be taught to use a soft toothbrush. A low-bacteria diet and
temperature monitoring would be used in a client who is neutropenic.
Question 9.
A client with chemotherapy-in-duced bone marrow suppres-sion has received filgrastim
(Ne-upogen). Which laboratory find-ing indicates that this therapy is effective for the
client?
a.Hematocrit is 28%.
b.Hematocrit is 38%.
c.Segmented neutrophil count is 2500/mm3.
d.Segmented neutrophil count is 3500/mm3.
Correct Answer: ANS: D Filgrastim is a single-lineage growth factor that
the maturation and release of only segmented neutrophils. This drug is not
unless the neutrophil count is dangerously low. The near-normal range of
indicates effective therap
Question 10.
A nurse is reviewing the white blood cell count with differ-ential for a client receiv-ing
Question 1.
A nurse cares for a client who has a genetic mutation that in-creases the risk for colon
can-cer. The client states that he does not want any family to know about this result. How
should the nurse respond?
a. "It is required by law that you inform your siblings and chil-dren about this result so that
they also can be tested and monitored for colon cancer."
b. "It is not necessary to tell your siblings because they are adults, but you should tell your
children so that they can be tested before they decide to have children of their own."
c. "It is not required that you tell anyone about this result. However, your siblings and
chil-dren may also be at risk for colon cancer and this informa-tion might help them."
Correct Answer: ANS: C This situation represents an ethical dilemma. It is the
decision whether to disclose the information. However, the information can
others in the client's family. The law does not require the client to tell family
about the results, nor can the client be held liable for not telling them. The
may consider it ethically correct for the client to tell family members so that
can take action to prevent the development of cancer, but the nurse must
the client's decision.
Question 2.
A nurse cares for a client who recently completed genet-ic testing that revealed that she
has a BRCA1 gene mutation. Which actions should the nurse take next? (Select all that
ap-ply.) a. Discuss potential risks for other members of her family.
b. Assist the client to make a plan for prevention and risk re-duction.
c. Disclose the information to the medical insurance compa-ny.
d. Recommend the client com-plete weekly breast self-exami-nations.
e. Assess the client's response to the test results.
f. Encourage support by shar-ing the results with family members.
Correct Answer: ANS: A, B, E The medical-surgical nurse can assess the client's
to the test results, discuss potential risks for other fami-ly members, encourage
counseling, and assist the client to make a plan for prevention, risk reduction,
early detection. For some positive genetic test results, such as having a BRCA1
mutation, the risk for developing
breast cancer is high but is not a certainty. Because the risk is high, the client
have a plan for prevention and risk reduction. One form of prevention is early
Breast self-examinations may be helpful when performed monthly, but those
every week may not be useful, especially around the time of menses. A client
tests positive for a BRCA1 mutation should have at least yearly mammograms
ovarian ultrasounds to detect cancer at an early stage, when it is more easily
Question 3.
A nurse obtains health histo-ries when admitting clients to a medical-surgical unit. With
which client should the nurse discuss predisposition genetic testing?
,a. Middle-aged woman whose mother died at age 48 of breast cancer
b. Young man who has all the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
c. Pregnant woman whose fa-ther has sickle cell disease d. Middle-aged man of Eastern
European Jewish ancestry
Correct Answer: ANS: A A client with a family history of breast cancer should be
information about predisposition testing. Predisposi-tion testing should be
with clients who are at high risk of hereditary breast, ovarian, and colorectal
so that the client can engage in heightened screening activities or interventions
reduce risk.
Question 4.
The nursing instructor explains the difference between normal cells and benign tumor
cells. What information does the in-structor provide about these cells?
a. Benign tumors grow through invasion of other tissue.
b. Benign tumors have lost their cellular regulation from contact inhibition.
c. Growing in the wrong place or time is typical of benign tu-mors.
d. The loss of characteristics of the parent cells is called anapla-sia.
Correct Answer: ANS: C Benign tumors are basically normal cells growing in the
place or at the wrong time. Benign cells grow through hyperplasia, not invasion.
tumor cells retain contact inhibition. Anaplasia is a characteristic of cancer cells
**Benign has smaller than normal nucleus**
Question 5.
A nurse has taught a client about dietary changes that can reduce the chances of
develop-ing cancer. What statement by the client indicates the nurse needs to provide
additional teaching?
a. "Foods high in vitamin A and vitamin C are important."
b. "I'll have to cut down on the amount of bacon I eat." c. "I'm so glad I don't have to give
up my juicy steaks."
d. "Vegetables, fruit, and high-fiber grains are impor-tant."
Correct Answer: ANS: C To decrease the risk of developing cancer, one should
down on the consumption of red meats and animal fat. The other statements
correct.
Question 6.
A nurse is participating in pri-mary prevention efforts direct-ed against cancer. In which
ac-tivities is this nurse most likely to engage? (Select all that ap-ply.)
a. Demonstrating breast self-examination methods to women
b. Instructing people on the use of chemoprevention
c. Providing vaccinations against certain cancers
d. Screening teenage girls for cervical cancer
e. Teaching teens the dangers of tanning booths
Correct Answer: ANS: B, C, E Primary prevention aims to prevent the occurrence
a dis-ease or disorder, in this case cancer. Secondary prevention in-cludes
and early diagnosis. Primary prevention ac-tivities include teaching people
chemoprevention, pro-viding approved vaccinations to prevent cancer, and
, teens the dangers of tanning beds. Breast examinations and screening for
cancer are secondary prevention meth-ods.
Question 7.
A client receiving intravenous chemotherapy asks the nurse the reason for wearing a
mask, gloves, and gown while ad-ministering drugs to the client. What is the nurse's best
re-sponse? a."These coverings protect you from getting an infection from me."
b."I am preventing the spread of infection from you to me or any other client here."
c."The policy is for any nurse giving these drugs to wear a gown, gloves, and mask."
d."The clothing protects me from accidentally absorbing these drugs."
Correct Answer: ANS: D Most chemotherapy drugs are absorbed through the
and mucous membranes. As a result, health care workers who prepare or give
drugs, especially nurses and phar-macists, are at risk for absorbing them. Even
low doses, chronic exposure to chemotherapy drugs can affect health. The
Nursing Society and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
specific guidelines
for using caution and wearing protective clothing whenever preparing, giving,
disposing of chemotherapy drugs.
Question 8.
A client is on chemotherapy and has a platelet count of 25,000. Which intervention is most
im-portant to teach this client?
a. "Eat a low-bacteria diet."
b. "Take your temperature daily."
c. "Use a soft-bristled tooth-brush."
Correct Answer: ANS: C This client has thrombocytopenia, which is a common
effect of chemotherapy. This increases the client's risk for pro-longed bleeding
response to even minor injury, especially from highly vascular areas such as the
The client should be taught to use a soft toothbrush. A low-bacteria diet and
temperature monitoring would be used in a client who is neutropenic.
Question 9.
A client with chemotherapy-in-duced bone marrow suppres-sion has received filgrastim
(Ne-upogen). Which laboratory find-ing indicates that this therapy is effective for the
client?
a.Hematocrit is 28%.
b.Hematocrit is 38%.
c.Segmented neutrophil count is 2500/mm3.
d.Segmented neutrophil count is 3500/mm3.
Correct Answer: ANS: D Filgrastim is a single-lineage growth factor that
the maturation and release of only segmented neutrophils. This drug is not
unless the neutrophil count is dangerously low. The near-normal range of
indicates effective therap
Question 10.
A nurse is reviewing the white blood cell count with differ-ential for a client receiv-ing
