Patient with Cancer; Study guide and NCLEX questions
3 pts at a urology clinic received dx of prostate cancer. All were in an early stage and had similar expectations
of cure. Mr. A asked many questions and started to plan his work schedule around his tx. Mr. B stalked out of
the office and slammed the door. Mr. C was stunned and seemed unable to take in any more info at the time.
Which of these pts responses would be considered "normal" in this situation.
1. Mr. A's
2. Mr. B's
3. Mr. C's
4. They are all normal reactions - ans4. They are all normal reactions
All of these patients are experiencing normal reactions to grief. Normal reactions to grief include being sad or
tearful, verbalization of feelings of loss, talking about the loss and looking at or touching the affected part,
asking many questions, and planning a personal schedule around treatments. Some patients exhibit anger and
others are stunned and unable to accept any more information.
A 55-year-old patient with a BMI of 29 is concerned that her identical twin has just been diagnosed with breast
cancer. She is highly motivated to reduce her risk for developing cancer. According to the American Cancer
Society, which diet and lifestyle factors are recommended for reducing cancer risk?
A. Avoid grains, cereals, pasta, and beans.
B. Engage in physical activity once a week.
C. Attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
D. Consume a diet rich in preserved and cured foods. - ansC. Attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
Evidence supports that lowering body weight reduces an individual's risk for developing cancer. Grains, cereals,
pasta, and beans should not be avoided. Engaging in physical activity once a week is not frequent enough to be
a health benefit. A diet rich in preserved and cured food is actually a risk factor for developing cancer.
A 58-year-old male patient is being seen by the health care provider for an annual physical. According to the
American Cancer Society, which cancer screenings should be recommended every year for asymptomatic men?
,(Select all that apply.)
A. A fecal occult blood stool test
B. A prostate-specific antigen test
C. A Papanicolaou test
D. A digital rectal examination
E. A pelvic examination
F. A colonoscopy - ansA. A fecal occult blood stool test
B. A prostate-specific antigen test
D. A digital rectal examination
Evidence supports that proactive and timely cancer screening reduces the likelihood of developing cancer.
Cancer diagnosed at a lower stage has a greater likelihood of cure. A fecal occult blood stool test and a
prostate-specific antigen test are recommended annually. The digital rectal examination is recommended
annually. The Papanicolaou test and pelvic examination are tests for women's health. A colonoscopy is
recommended every 10 years for low-risk patients.
A cancer pt has the lower abd irradiated. Which is a priority nursing activity for the pt?
1. Monitor pt for edema
2. Increase fluid intake and have pt empty bladder often
3. Encourage pt to eat food high in iron
4. Observe pt for palpitations, pallor, and excessive fatigue - ans2. Increase fluid intake and have pt empty
bladder often
A chemical, viral, or radioactive substance that can cause cancer is called a _______________. - ansCarcinogen
A drug that boosts the body's natural defenses to combat malignant cells is:
, 1. Vincristine
2. Interferon
3. Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
4. Paclitaxel (Taxol) - ans2. Interferon
A nurse is obtaining a health history on a pt who was admitted with lung cancer. Which question is most
important for the nurse to ask to gather data about chief complaint?
A. "How often, if ever, do you drink alcohol"
B. "Do you see a primary care health provider regularly?"
C. "Do you have any history of serious diseases or cancer in your immediate family?"
D. "Can you tell me more about the problem that caused you to come to the hospital?" - ansD. "Can you tell me
more about the problem that caused you to come to the hospital?"
The chief complaint is the patient's main complaint or concern, and the nurse should seek a complete
description of the problem with related signs and symptoms. Asking about alcohol consumption and medical
checkups are components of a functional assessment. Incidence of familial diseases is part of the family history.
A patient has recently undergone surgery to remove a large melanoma from his back. The patient is
experiencing severe, incision-related pain and has been prescribed an opioid analgesic medication by the
health care provider. Which symptoms is the patient likely to experience?
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Peripheral neuropathy
D. Extrapyramidal symptoms - ansB. Constipation
Opioids can cause constipation and changes in bowel function when used to alleviate pain. Opiate analgesic
medications are not likely to cause diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, or extrapyramidal symptoms.
3 pts at a urology clinic received dx of prostate cancer. All were in an early stage and had similar expectations
of cure. Mr. A asked many questions and started to plan his work schedule around his tx. Mr. B stalked out of
the office and slammed the door. Mr. C was stunned and seemed unable to take in any more info at the time.
Which of these pts responses would be considered "normal" in this situation.
1. Mr. A's
2. Mr. B's
3. Mr. C's
4. They are all normal reactions - ans4. They are all normal reactions
All of these patients are experiencing normal reactions to grief. Normal reactions to grief include being sad or
tearful, verbalization of feelings of loss, talking about the loss and looking at or touching the affected part,
asking many questions, and planning a personal schedule around treatments. Some patients exhibit anger and
others are stunned and unable to accept any more information.
A 55-year-old patient with a BMI of 29 is concerned that her identical twin has just been diagnosed with breast
cancer. She is highly motivated to reduce her risk for developing cancer. According to the American Cancer
Society, which diet and lifestyle factors are recommended for reducing cancer risk?
A. Avoid grains, cereals, pasta, and beans.
B. Engage in physical activity once a week.
C. Attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
D. Consume a diet rich in preserved and cured foods. - ansC. Attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
Evidence supports that lowering body weight reduces an individual's risk for developing cancer. Grains, cereals,
pasta, and beans should not be avoided. Engaging in physical activity once a week is not frequent enough to be
a health benefit. A diet rich in preserved and cured food is actually a risk factor for developing cancer.
A 58-year-old male patient is being seen by the health care provider for an annual physical. According to the
American Cancer Society, which cancer screenings should be recommended every year for asymptomatic men?
,(Select all that apply.)
A. A fecal occult blood stool test
B. A prostate-specific antigen test
C. A Papanicolaou test
D. A digital rectal examination
E. A pelvic examination
F. A colonoscopy - ansA. A fecal occult blood stool test
B. A prostate-specific antigen test
D. A digital rectal examination
Evidence supports that proactive and timely cancer screening reduces the likelihood of developing cancer.
Cancer diagnosed at a lower stage has a greater likelihood of cure. A fecal occult blood stool test and a
prostate-specific antigen test are recommended annually. The digital rectal examination is recommended
annually. The Papanicolaou test and pelvic examination are tests for women's health. A colonoscopy is
recommended every 10 years for low-risk patients.
A cancer pt has the lower abd irradiated. Which is a priority nursing activity for the pt?
1. Monitor pt for edema
2. Increase fluid intake and have pt empty bladder often
3. Encourage pt to eat food high in iron
4. Observe pt for palpitations, pallor, and excessive fatigue - ans2. Increase fluid intake and have pt empty
bladder often
A chemical, viral, or radioactive substance that can cause cancer is called a _______________. - ansCarcinogen
A drug that boosts the body's natural defenses to combat malignant cells is:
, 1. Vincristine
2. Interferon
3. Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
4. Paclitaxel (Taxol) - ans2. Interferon
A nurse is obtaining a health history on a pt who was admitted with lung cancer. Which question is most
important for the nurse to ask to gather data about chief complaint?
A. "How often, if ever, do you drink alcohol"
B. "Do you see a primary care health provider regularly?"
C. "Do you have any history of serious diseases or cancer in your immediate family?"
D. "Can you tell me more about the problem that caused you to come to the hospital?" - ansD. "Can you tell me
more about the problem that caused you to come to the hospital?"
The chief complaint is the patient's main complaint or concern, and the nurse should seek a complete
description of the problem with related signs and symptoms. Asking about alcohol consumption and medical
checkups are components of a functional assessment. Incidence of familial diseases is part of the family history.
A patient has recently undergone surgery to remove a large melanoma from his back. The patient is
experiencing severe, incision-related pain and has been prescribed an opioid analgesic medication by the
health care provider. Which symptoms is the patient likely to experience?
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Peripheral neuropathy
D. Extrapyramidal symptoms - ansB. Constipation
Opioids can cause constipation and changes in bowel function when used to alleviate pain. Opiate analgesic
medications are not likely to cause diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, or extrapyramidal symptoms.
