Oncology (&meds), Hematologic
Dysfunction, Genetics, HIV Exam
Questions| Already Answered| GRADED
A+
T/F: If a client with cancer who's on PCA or oral meds for pain says they're still having a lot of pain, you
should immediately increase the dose of meds. - ANSWER-False.
What 3 assessments should we be doing for clients on PCA or oral pain meds? - ANSWER-1. Respirations
2. Location, type and frequency of pain
3. What makes it better/worse?
Dry desquamation - ANSWER-This may occur after erythema appears d/t radiation therapy
Wet desquamation - ANSWER-After radiation therapy, if the rate of cell sloughing is faster than the
ability of the new epidermal cells to replace dead cells, this occurs with exposure of the epidermis and
weeping serous fluid
T/F: The client is never radioactive during external beam radiation therapy - ANSWER-True
What 7 things do you need to teach your client about beam radiation therapy? - ANSWER-1. Do not
wash off site-identification marks (dosage area is carefully calculated and must be exact for each tx)
2. Protect radiated skin from temperature extremes (do not use heating pads, ice packs)
3. Avoid constricting garments, rubbing, harsh chemicals and deodorant
4. Lubricate dry skin with a nonirritating lotion emolient that contains no alcohol, metal, perfume, or
additives
5. Calendula ointment, topical hyaluronic cream and aloe vera gel are effective for the management of
radiation dermatitis
6. If wet desquamation occurs, keep tissues clean with normal saline compresses or modified Burow's
solution soaks
,7. Protect skin from further damage with moisture vapor-permeable dressings or Vaseline petroleum
gauze
Radiation/Chemotherapy can cause what 11 s/s? - ANSWER-1. Fatigue
2. Alopecia
3. Nadir
4. Immunocompromised
5. Oral mucositis
6. Xerostomia (dry mouth)
7. Dysgeusia (taste loss)
8. Dysphagia and odynphagia (painful swallowing)
9. Dental caries
10. Diarrhea
11. Anorexia
T/F: Sealed radiation implant is radioactive - ANSWER-False
T/F: Non-sealed radiation implant is radioactive - ANSWER-True
What are 6 nursing interventions r/t non-sealed radioactive implant? - ANSWER-1. If it comes out, do
not pick it up with bare hands, use lead-lined container and forceps
2. Client cannot get up to shower
3. Client cannot sit in high fowler's position
4. Stand away from the implant when performing bedside care
5. Group care to expose yourself less to radiation
6. Wear radiation badges (can't share them)
Pancytopenia - ANSWER-Marked decrease in the number of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets
, NV RBC (erythrocytes) - ANSWER-4.5-5 million
NV WBC (leukocytes) - ANSWER-4,000-11,000
NV thrombocytes (platelets) - ANSWER-150,000-400,000
NV Hgb - ANSWER-12-18
NV Hct - ANSWER-36-54
NV Sodium - ANSWER-135-145
NV Potassium - ANSWER-3.5-5
NV ANC (absolute neutrophil count) - ANSWER-1.5-8.0 (or 1,500-8,000)
What is one of the biggest risks cancer patients have? - ANSWER-Infection (low ANC)
-Report inc. WBC
-Report fever (emergency)
What are 6 important things to teach someone with breast cancer and/or mastectomy? - ANSWER-1.
Wear limb alert (No IVs, BPs in affected arm)
2. Work out/move arm
3. Do not carry heavy things
4. Wear a soft seatbelt cover to avoid pressure, pain on site
5. Risk of lymphedema for entire life
6. Protect arm always (avoid sunburns, wash hands)
What are 6 clinical manifestations of lymphedema? - ANSWER-1. Heaviness
Dysfunction, Genetics, HIV Exam
Questions| Already Answered| GRADED
A+
T/F: If a client with cancer who's on PCA or oral meds for pain says they're still having a lot of pain, you
should immediately increase the dose of meds. - ANSWER-False.
What 3 assessments should we be doing for clients on PCA or oral pain meds? - ANSWER-1. Respirations
2. Location, type and frequency of pain
3. What makes it better/worse?
Dry desquamation - ANSWER-This may occur after erythema appears d/t radiation therapy
Wet desquamation - ANSWER-After radiation therapy, if the rate of cell sloughing is faster than the
ability of the new epidermal cells to replace dead cells, this occurs with exposure of the epidermis and
weeping serous fluid
T/F: The client is never radioactive during external beam radiation therapy - ANSWER-True
What 7 things do you need to teach your client about beam radiation therapy? - ANSWER-1. Do not
wash off site-identification marks (dosage area is carefully calculated and must be exact for each tx)
2. Protect radiated skin from temperature extremes (do not use heating pads, ice packs)
3. Avoid constricting garments, rubbing, harsh chemicals and deodorant
4. Lubricate dry skin with a nonirritating lotion emolient that contains no alcohol, metal, perfume, or
additives
5. Calendula ointment, topical hyaluronic cream and aloe vera gel are effective for the management of
radiation dermatitis
6. If wet desquamation occurs, keep tissues clean with normal saline compresses or modified Burow's
solution soaks
,7. Protect skin from further damage with moisture vapor-permeable dressings or Vaseline petroleum
gauze
Radiation/Chemotherapy can cause what 11 s/s? - ANSWER-1. Fatigue
2. Alopecia
3. Nadir
4. Immunocompromised
5. Oral mucositis
6. Xerostomia (dry mouth)
7. Dysgeusia (taste loss)
8. Dysphagia and odynphagia (painful swallowing)
9. Dental caries
10. Diarrhea
11. Anorexia
T/F: Sealed radiation implant is radioactive - ANSWER-False
T/F: Non-sealed radiation implant is radioactive - ANSWER-True
What are 6 nursing interventions r/t non-sealed radioactive implant? - ANSWER-1. If it comes out, do
not pick it up with bare hands, use lead-lined container and forceps
2. Client cannot get up to shower
3. Client cannot sit in high fowler's position
4. Stand away from the implant when performing bedside care
5. Group care to expose yourself less to radiation
6. Wear radiation badges (can't share them)
Pancytopenia - ANSWER-Marked decrease in the number of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets
, NV RBC (erythrocytes) - ANSWER-4.5-5 million
NV WBC (leukocytes) - ANSWER-4,000-11,000
NV thrombocytes (platelets) - ANSWER-150,000-400,000
NV Hgb - ANSWER-12-18
NV Hct - ANSWER-36-54
NV Sodium - ANSWER-135-145
NV Potassium - ANSWER-3.5-5
NV ANC (absolute neutrophil count) - ANSWER-1.5-8.0 (or 1,500-8,000)
What is one of the biggest risks cancer patients have? - ANSWER-Infection (low ANC)
-Report inc. WBC
-Report fever (emergency)
What are 6 important things to teach someone with breast cancer and/or mastectomy? - ANSWER-1.
Wear limb alert (No IVs, BPs in affected arm)
2. Work out/move arm
3. Do not carry heavy things
4. Wear a soft seatbelt cover to avoid pressure, pain on site
5. Risk of lymphedema for entire life
6. Protect arm always (avoid sunburns, wash hands)
What are 6 clinical manifestations of lymphedema? - ANSWER-1. Heaviness
