MSN 277 EXAM 2 LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+
While being prepared for a biopsy of a lump in the right breast, the patient asks the
nurse about the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor. Which
answer by the nurse is correct?
a.
Benign tumors do not cause damage to other tissues.
b.
Benign tumors are likely to recur in the same location.
c.
Malignant tumors may spread to other tissues or organs.
d.
Malignant cells reproduce more rapidly than normal cells. - ANSWER: ANS: C
The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant
tumors invade adjacent tissues and spread to distant tissues and benign tumors
never metastasize. The other statements are inaccurate. Both types of tumors may
cause damage to adjacent tissues. Malignant cells do not reproduce more rapidly
than normal cells. Benign tumors do not usually recur.
. A patient is receiving intravesical bladder chemotherapy. The nurse will monitor for
a.
nausea.
b.
alopecia.
c.
mucositis.
d.
hematuria. - ANSWER: ANS: D
The adverse effects of intravesical chemotherapy are confined to the bladder. The
other adverse effects are associated with systemic chemotherapy.
The nurse in the outpatient clinic is caring for a 50-year-old who smokes heavily. To
reduce the patients risk of dying from lung cancer, which action will be best for the
nurse to take?
a.
Educate the patient about the seven warning signs of cancer.
b.
Plan to monitor the patients carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level.
c.
Discuss the risks associated with cigarettes during every patient encounter.
d.
Teach the patient about the use of annual chest x-rays for lung cancer screening. -
ANSWER: ANS: C
Education about the risks associated with cigarette smoking is recommended at
every patient encounter, since cigarette smoking is associated with multiple health
,problems. A tumor must be at least 0.5 cm large before it is detectable by current
screening methods and may already have metastasized by that time. Oncofetal
antigens such as CEA may be used to monitor therapy or detect tumor reoccurrence,
but are not helpful in screening for cancer. The seven warning signs of cancer are
actually associated with fairly advanced disease.
After the nurse has finished teaching a patient who is scheduled to receive external
beam radiation for abdominal cancer about appropriate diet, which dietary selection
by the patient indicates that the teaching has been effective?
a.
Fresh fruit salad
b.
Roasted chicken
c.
Whole wheat toast
d.
Cream of potato soup - ANSWER: ANS: B
To minimize the diarrhea that is commonly associated with bowel radiation, the
patient should avoid foods high in roughage, such as fruits and whole grains.
Lactose-intolerance may develop secondary to radiation, so dairy products also
should be avoided.
During a routine health examination, a 30-year-old patient tells the nurse about a
family history of colon cancer. Which action should the nurse take next?
a.
Educate the patient about the need for a colonoscopy at age 50.
b.
Teach the patient how to do home testing for fecal occult blood.
c.
Obtain more information from the patient about the family history.
d.
Schedule a sigmoidoscopy to provide baseline data about the patient. - ANSWER:
ANS: C
The patient may be at increased risk for colon cancer, but the nurses first action
should be further assessment. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on
the information that is obtained from the patient with further questioning.
When reviewing the chart for a patient with cervical cancer, the nurse notes that the
cancer is staged as Tis, N0, M0. The nurse will teach the patient that
a.
the cancer is localized to the cervix.
b.
the cancer cells are well-differentiated.
c.
further testing is needed to determine the spread of the cancer.
d.
it is difficult to determine the original site of the cervical cancer. - ANSWER: ANS: A
,Cancer in situ indicates that the cancer is localized to the cervix and is not invasive at
this time. Cell differentiation is not indicated by clinical staging. Because the cancer is
in situ, the origin is the cervix. Further testing is not indicated given that the cancer
has not spread.
Which statement by a patient who is scheduled for a needle biopsy of the prostate
indicates that the nurses teaching about the purpose of the biopsy has been
effective?
a.
The biopsy will remove the cancer in my prostate gland.
b.
The biopsy will determine how much longer I have to live.
c.
The biopsy will help decide the treatment for my enlarged prostate.
d.
The biopsy will indicate whether the cancer has spread to other organs. - ANSWER:
ANS: C
A biopsy is used to determine whether the prostate enlargement is benign or
malignant and determines the type of treatment that will be needed. Biopsy does
not give information about metastasis, life expectancy, or the impact of cancer on
the patients life; the three remaining statements indicate a need for patient
teaching.
The nurse is teaching a postmenopausal patient with stage III breast cancer about
the expected outcomes of her cancer treatment. Which patient statement indicates
that the teaching has been effective?
a.
After cancer has not recurred for 5 years, it is considered cured.
b.
The cancer will be cured if the entire tumor is surgically removed.
c.
Cancer is never considered cured, but the tumor can be controlled with surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation.
d.
I will need to have follow-up examinations for many years after I have treatment
before I can be considered cured. - ANSWER: ANS: D
The risk of recurrence varies by the type of cancer. For breast cancer in
postmenopausal women the patient needs at least 20 disease-free years to be
considered cured. Some cancers are considered cured after a shorter time span, or
after surgery, but stage III breast cancer will require additional therapies and
ongoing follow-up.
A patient with a large stomach tumor that is attached to the liver is scheduled to
have a debulking procedure. The nurse explains that the expected outcome of this
surgery is
a.
relief of pain by cutting sensory nerves in the stomach.
, b.
control of the tumor growth by removal of malignant tissue.
c.
decrease in tumor size to improve the effects of other therapy.
d.
promotion of better nutrition by relieving the pressure in the stomach. - ANSWER:
ANS: C
A debulking surgery reduces the size of the tumor and makes radiation and
chemotherapy more effective. Debulking surgeries do not control tumor growth. The
tumor is debulked because it is attached to the liver, a vital organ (not to relieve
pressure on the stomach). Debulking does not sever the sensory nerves, although
pain may be lessened by the reduction in pressure on the abdominal organs.
External-beam radiation is planned for a patient with endometrial cancer. The nurse
teaches the patient that an important measure to prevent complications from the
effects of the radiation is to
a.
test all stools for the presence of blood.
b.
maintain a high-residue, high-fiber diet.
c.
clean the perianal area carefully after every bowel movement.
d.
inspect the mouth and throat daily for the appearance of thrush. - ANSWER: ANS: C
Radiation to the abdomen will affect organs in the radiation path, such as the bowel,
and cause frequent diarrhea. Careful cleaning of this area will help decrease the risk
for skin breakdown and infection. Stools are likely to have occult blood from the
inflammation associated with radiation, so routine testing of stools for blood is not
indicated. Radiation to the abdomen will not cause stomatitis. A low-residue diet is
recommended to avoid irritation of the bowel when patients receive abdominal
radiation.
A patient with Hodgkins lymphoma who is undergoing external radiation therapy
tells the nurse, I am so tired I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. An
appropriate intervention for the nurse to plan with the patient is to
a.
minimize activity until the treatment is completed.
b.
exercise vigorously when fatigue is not as noticeable.
c.
establish a time to take a short walk almost every day.
d.
consult with a psychiatrist for treatment of depression. - ANSWER: ANS: C
Walking programs are used to keep the patient active without excessive fatigue.
Vigorous exercise when the patient is less tired may lead to increased fatigue.
Fatigue is expected during treatment and is not an indication of depression.
Minimizing activity may lead to weakness and other complications of immobility.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+
While being prepared for a biopsy of a lump in the right breast, the patient asks the
nurse about the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor. Which
answer by the nurse is correct?
a.
Benign tumors do not cause damage to other tissues.
b.
Benign tumors are likely to recur in the same location.
c.
Malignant tumors may spread to other tissues or organs.
d.
Malignant cells reproduce more rapidly than normal cells. - ANSWER: ANS: C
The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant
tumors invade adjacent tissues and spread to distant tissues and benign tumors
never metastasize. The other statements are inaccurate. Both types of tumors may
cause damage to adjacent tissues. Malignant cells do not reproduce more rapidly
than normal cells. Benign tumors do not usually recur.
. A patient is receiving intravesical bladder chemotherapy. The nurse will monitor for
a.
nausea.
b.
alopecia.
c.
mucositis.
d.
hematuria. - ANSWER: ANS: D
The adverse effects of intravesical chemotherapy are confined to the bladder. The
other adverse effects are associated with systemic chemotherapy.
The nurse in the outpatient clinic is caring for a 50-year-old who smokes heavily. To
reduce the patients risk of dying from lung cancer, which action will be best for the
nurse to take?
a.
Educate the patient about the seven warning signs of cancer.
b.
Plan to monitor the patients carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level.
c.
Discuss the risks associated with cigarettes during every patient encounter.
d.
Teach the patient about the use of annual chest x-rays for lung cancer screening. -
ANSWER: ANS: C
Education about the risks associated with cigarette smoking is recommended at
every patient encounter, since cigarette smoking is associated with multiple health
,problems. A tumor must be at least 0.5 cm large before it is detectable by current
screening methods and may already have metastasized by that time. Oncofetal
antigens such as CEA may be used to monitor therapy or detect tumor reoccurrence,
but are not helpful in screening for cancer. The seven warning signs of cancer are
actually associated with fairly advanced disease.
After the nurse has finished teaching a patient who is scheduled to receive external
beam radiation for abdominal cancer about appropriate diet, which dietary selection
by the patient indicates that the teaching has been effective?
a.
Fresh fruit salad
b.
Roasted chicken
c.
Whole wheat toast
d.
Cream of potato soup - ANSWER: ANS: B
To minimize the diarrhea that is commonly associated with bowel radiation, the
patient should avoid foods high in roughage, such as fruits and whole grains.
Lactose-intolerance may develop secondary to radiation, so dairy products also
should be avoided.
During a routine health examination, a 30-year-old patient tells the nurse about a
family history of colon cancer. Which action should the nurse take next?
a.
Educate the patient about the need for a colonoscopy at age 50.
b.
Teach the patient how to do home testing for fecal occult blood.
c.
Obtain more information from the patient about the family history.
d.
Schedule a sigmoidoscopy to provide baseline data about the patient. - ANSWER:
ANS: C
The patient may be at increased risk for colon cancer, but the nurses first action
should be further assessment. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on
the information that is obtained from the patient with further questioning.
When reviewing the chart for a patient with cervical cancer, the nurse notes that the
cancer is staged as Tis, N0, M0. The nurse will teach the patient that
a.
the cancer is localized to the cervix.
b.
the cancer cells are well-differentiated.
c.
further testing is needed to determine the spread of the cancer.
d.
it is difficult to determine the original site of the cervical cancer. - ANSWER: ANS: A
,Cancer in situ indicates that the cancer is localized to the cervix and is not invasive at
this time. Cell differentiation is not indicated by clinical staging. Because the cancer is
in situ, the origin is the cervix. Further testing is not indicated given that the cancer
has not spread.
Which statement by a patient who is scheduled for a needle biopsy of the prostate
indicates that the nurses teaching about the purpose of the biopsy has been
effective?
a.
The biopsy will remove the cancer in my prostate gland.
b.
The biopsy will determine how much longer I have to live.
c.
The biopsy will help decide the treatment for my enlarged prostate.
d.
The biopsy will indicate whether the cancer has spread to other organs. - ANSWER:
ANS: C
A biopsy is used to determine whether the prostate enlargement is benign or
malignant and determines the type of treatment that will be needed. Biopsy does
not give information about metastasis, life expectancy, or the impact of cancer on
the patients life; the three remaining statements indicate a need for patient
teaching.
The nurse is teaching a postmenopausal patient with stage III breast cancer about
the expected outcomes of her cancer treatment. Which patient statement indicates
that the teaching has been effective?
a.
After cancer has not recurred for 5 years, it is considered cured.
b.
The cancer will be cured if the entire tumor is surgically removed.
c.
Cancer is never considered cured, but the tumor can be controlled with surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation.
d.
I will need to have follow-up examinations for many years after I have treatment
before I can be considered cured. - ANSWER: ANS: D
The risk of recurrence varies by the type of cancer. For breast cancer in
postmenopausal women the patient needs at least 20 disease-free years to be
considered cured. Some cancers are considered cured after a shorter time span, or
after surgery, but stage III breast cancer will require additional therapies and
ongoing follow-up.
A patient with a large stomach tumor that is attached to the liver is scheduled to
have a debulking procedure. The nurse explains that the expected outcome of this
surgery is
a.
relief of pain by cutting sensory nerves in the stomach.
, b.
control of the tumor growth by removal of malignant tissue.
c.
decrease in tumor size to improve the effects of other therapy.
d.
promotion of better nutrition by relieving the pressure in the stomach. - ANSWER:
ANS: C
A debulking surgery reduces the size of the tumor and makes radiation and
chemotherapy more effective. Debulking surgeries do not control tumor growth. The
tumor is debulked because it is attached to the liver, a vital organ (not to relieve
pressure on the stomach). Debulking does not sever the sensory nerves, although
pain may be lessened by the reduction in pressure on the abdominal organs.
External-beam radiation is planned for a patient with endometrial cancer. The nurse
teaches the patient that an important measure to prevent complications from the
effects of the radiation is to
a.
test all stools for the presence of blood.
b.
maintain a high-residue, high-fiber diet.
c.
clean the perianal area carefully after every bowel movement.
d.
inspect the mouth and throat daily for the appearance of thrush. - ANSWER: ANS: C
Radiation to the abdomen will affect organs in the radiation path, such as the bowel,
and cause frequent diarrhea. Careful cleaning of this area will help decrease the risk
for skin breakdown and infection. Stools are likely to have occult blood from the
inflammation associated with radiation, so routine testing of stools for blood is not
indicated. Radiation to the abdomen will not cause stomatitis. A low-residue diet is
recommended to avoid irritation of the bowel when patients receive abdominal
radiation.
A patient with Hodgkins lymphoma who is undergoing external radiation therapy
tells the nurse, I am so tired I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. An
appropriate intervention for the nurse to plan with the patient is to
a.
minimize activity until the treatment is completed.
b.
exercise vigorously when fatigue is not as noticeable.
c.
establish a time to take a short walk almost every day.
d.
consult with a psychiatrist for treatment of depression. - ANSWER: ANS: C
Walking programs are used to keep the patient active without excessive fatigue.
Vigorous exercise when the patient is less tired may lead to increased fatigue.
Fatigue is expected during treatment and is not an indication of depression.
Minimizing activity may lead to weakness and other complications of immobility.
