Oncology: Nursing Management in Cancer Care NCLEX
#15 Questions with Correct Answers
Cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death in the United States.
Although the numbers of cancer deaths have decreased slightly, more than 570,000 Americans were
expected to die from a malignant process in 2011. The leading causes of cancer death in the United
States, in order of frequency, are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in men and lung, breast, and
colorectal cancer in women, so smoking cessation is the health promotion initiative directly related to
lung cancer.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The public health nurse is presenting a health-promotion class to a
group at a local community center. Which intervention most directly addresses the leading cause of
cancer deaths in North America?
A) Monthly self-breast exams
B) Smoking cessation
C) Annual colonoscopies
D) Monthly testicular exams
A
(Yellow skin is a sign of jaundice and the liver is a common organ affected by metastatic disease. An LFT
should be done to determine if the liver is functioning. A CBC, platelet count and tests of renal function
would not directly assess for liver disease.) - CORRECT ANSWER-A nurse who works in an oncology clinic
is assessing a patient who has arrived for a 2- month follow-up appointment following chemotherapy.
The nurse notes that the patient's skin appears yellow. Which blood tests should be done to further
explore this clinical sign?
A) Liver function tests (LFTs)
B) Complete blood count (CBC)
C) Platelet count
D) Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine
C
,(Fruits and vegetables appear to reduce cancer risk. Salt-cured foods, such as ham and processed meats,
as well as red meats, should be limited.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The school nurse is teaching a nutrition
class in the local high school. One student states that he has heard that certain foods can increase the
incidence of cancer. The nurse responds, "Research has shown that certain foods indeed appear to
increase the risk of cancer." Which of the following menu selections would be the best choice for
potentially reducing the risks of cancer?
A) Smoked salmon and green beans
B) Pork chops and fried green tomatoes
C) Baked apricot chicken and steamed broccoli
D) Liver, onions, and steamed peas
C
(Primary prevention is concerned with reducing the risks of cancer in healthy people through practices
such as use of sunscreen. Secondary prevention involves detection and screening to achieve early
diagnosis, as demonstrated by Pap tests, mammograms, and testicular exams.) - CORRECT ANSWER-
Traditionally, nurses have been involved with tertiary cancer prevention. However, an increasing
emphasis is being placed on both primary and secondary prevention. What would be an example of
primary prevention?
A) Yearly Pap tests
B) Testicular self-examination
C) Teaching patients to wear sunscreen
D) Screening mammograms
C
(Prophylactic surgery is used when there is an extensive family history and nonvital tissues are removed.
Salvage surgery is an additional treatment option that uses an extensive surgical approach to treat the
local recurrence of a cancer after the use of a less extensive primary approach. Palliative surgery is
performed in an attempt to relieve complications of cancer, such as ulceration, obstruction, hemorrhage,
pain, and malignant effusion. Reconstructive surgery may follow curative or radical surgery in an attempt
to improve function or obtain a more desirable cosmetic effect.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The nurse is caring
, for a 39-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer. She requested a breast tumor marking
test and the results have come back positive. As a result, the patient is requesting a bilateral
mastectomy. This surgery is an example of what type of oncologic surgery?
A) Salvage surgery
B) Palliative surgery
C) Prophylactic surgery
D) Reconstructive surgery
A
(Alterations in oral mucosa, change and loss of taste, pain, and dysphasia often occur as a result of
radiotherapy to the head and neck. The patient is at an increased risk of impaired nutritional status.
Radiotherapy does not cause cognitive changes. Diarrhea is not a likely concern for this patient.
Radiation only results in alopecia when targeted at the whole brain; radiation of other parts of the body
does not lead to hair loss.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The nurse is caring for a patient who is to begin receiving
external radiation for a malignant tumor of the neck. While providing patient education, what potential
adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
A) Impaired nutritional status
B) Cognitive changes
C) Diarrhea
D) Alopecia
A
(Doxorubicin hydrochloride is a chemotherapeutic vesicant that can cause severe tissue damage. The
nurse should stop the administration of the drug immediately and then notify the patient's physician. Ice
can be applied to the site once the drug therapy has stopped.) - CORRECT ANSWER-While a patient is
receiving IV doxorubicin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer, the nurse observes swelling and pain
at the IV site. The nurse should prioritize what action?
A) Stopping the administration of the drug immediately
#15 Questions with Correct Answers
Cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death in the United States.
Although the numbers of cancer deaths have decreased slightly, more than 570,000 Americans were
expected to die from a malignant process in 2011. The leading causes of cancer death in the United
States, in order of frequency, are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in men and lung, breast, and
colorectal cancer in women, so smoking cessation is the health promotion initiative directly related to
lung cancer.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The public health nurse is presenting a health-promotion class to a
group at a local community center. Which intervention most directly addresses the leading cause of
cancer deaths in North America?
A) Monthly self-breast exams
B) Smoking cessation
C) Annual colonoscopies
D) Monthly testicular exams
A
(Yellow skin is a sign of jaundice and the liver is a common organ affected by metastatic disease. An LFT
should be done to determine if the liver is functioning. A CBC, platelet count and tests of renal function
would not directly assess for liver disease.) - CORRECT ANSWER-A nurse who works in an oncology clinic
is assessing a patient who has arrived for a 2- month follow-up appointment following chemotherapy.
The nurse notes that the patient's skin appears yellow. Which blood tests should be done to further
explore this clinical sign?
A) Liver function tests (LFTs)
B) Complete blood count (CBC)
C) Platelet count
D) Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine
C
,(Fruits and vegetables appear to reduce cancer risk. Salt-cured foods, such as ham and processed meats,
as well as red meats, should be limited.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The school nurse is teaching a nutrition
class in the local high school. One student states that he has heard that certain foods can increase the
incidence of cancer. The nurse responds, "Research has shown that certain foods indeed appear to
increase the risk of cancer." Which of the following menu selections would be the best choice for
potentially reducing the risks of cancer?
A) Smoked salmon and green beans
B) Pork chops and fried green tomatoes
C) Baked apricot chicken and steamed broccoli
D) Liver, onions, and steamed peas
C
(Primary prevention is concerned with reducing the risks of cancer in healthy people through practices
such as use of sunscreen. Secondary prevention involves detection and screening to achieve early
diagnosis, as demonstrated by Pap tests, mammograms, and testicular exams.) - CORRECT ANSWER-
Traditionally, nurses have been involved with tertiary cancer prevention. However, an increasing
emphasis is being placed on both primary and secondary prevention. What would be an example of
primary prevention?
A) Yearly Pap tests
B) Testicular self-examination
C) Teaching patients to wear sunscreen
D) Screening mammograms
C
(Prophylactic surgery is used when there is an extensive family history and nonvital tissues are removed.
Salvage surgery is an additional treatment option that uses an extensive surgical approach to treat the
local recurrence of a cancer after the use of a less extensive primary approach. Palliative surgery is
performed in an attempt to relieve complications of cancer, such as ulceration, obstruction, hemorrhage,
pain, and malignant effusion. Reconstructive surgery may follow curative or radical surgery in an attempt
to improve function or obtain a more desirable cosmetic effect.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The nurse is caring
, for a 39-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer. She requested a breast tumor marking
test and the results have come back positive. As a result, the patient is requesting a bilateral
mastectomy. This surgery is an example of what type of oncologic surgery?
A) Salvage surgery
B) Palliative surgery
C) Prophylactic surgery
D) Reconstructive surgery
A
(Alterations in oral mucosa, change and loss of taste, pain, and dysphasia often occur as a result of
radiotherapy to the head and neck. The patient is at an increased risk of impaired nutritional status.
Radiotherapy does not cause cognitive changes. Diarrhea is not a likely concern for this patient.
Radiation only results in alopecia when targeted at the whole brain; radiation of other parts of the body
does not lead to hair loss.) - CORRECT ANSWER-The nurse is caring for a patient who is to begin receiving
external radiation for a malignant tumor of the neck. While providing patient education, what potential
adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
A) Impaired nutritional status
B) Cognitive changes
C) Diarrhea
D) Alopecia
A
(Doxorubicin hydrochloride is a chemotherapeutic vesicant that can cause severe tissue damage. The
nurse should stop the administration of the drug immediately and then notify the patient's physician. Ice
can be applied to the site once the drug therapy has stopped.) - CORRECT ANSWER-While a patient is
receiving IV doxorubicin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer, the nurse observes swelling and pain
at the IV site. The nurse should prioritize what action?
A) Stopping the administration of the drug immediately
