CHAPTER 15: CANCER LEWIS: MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING, 10TH EDITION 2025-2026 VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
The nurse teaches a patient who is scheduled for a prostate needle
biopsy about the procedure.
Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates that teaching was
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." - correct
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. A biopsy does
not give information about metastasis, life expectancy, or the impact
of cancer on the patient's life.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 238
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
The nurse teaches a postmenopausal patient with stage III breast
cancer about the expected
outcomes of 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. "I will need follow-up examinations for many years after treatment
before I can be considered cured."
d. "Cancer is never cured, but the tumor can be controlled with surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation." - correct answer>>ANS: C
The risk of recurrence varies by the type of cancer. 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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 243
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
A patient with a large stomach tumor attached to the liver is scheduled
for a debulking procedure. Which information should the nurse teach
the patient about the outcome of this procedure?
a. Pain will be relieved by cutting sensory nerves in the stomach.
b. Relief of pressure in the stomach will promote better nutrition.
c. Decreasing the tumor size will improve the effects of other therapy.
d. Tumor growth will be controlled by the removal of malignant tissue. -
correct
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 245
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity
External-beam radiation is planned for a patient with cervical cancer.
What instructions should the nurse give to the patient to prevent
complications from the effects of the radiation?
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. -
correct
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 251
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity
A patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma who is undergoing external
radiation therapy tells the
nurse, "I am so tired I can hardly get out of bed in the morning." Which
intervention should the nurse add to the plan of care?
a. Minimize activity until the treatment is completed.
b. Establish time to take a short walk almost every day.
c. Consult with a psychiatrist for treatment of depression.
d. Arrange for delivery of a hospital bed to the patient's home. - correct
answer>>ANS: B Walking programs are used to keep the patient
active without excessive fatigue.
Having a hospital bed does not necessarily address the fatigue.
The better option is to stay as active as
possible while combating fatigue. Fatigue is expected during treatment
and is not an indication of depression. Minimizing activity may lead to
weakness and other complications of immobility.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 253
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
The nurse is caring for a patient with colon cancer who is scheduled for
external radiation
NURSING, 10TH EDITION 2025-2026 VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
The nurse teaches a patient who is scheduled for a prostate needle
biopsy about the procedure.
Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates that teaching was
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." - correct
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. A biopsy does
not give information about metastasis, life expectancy, or the impact
of cancer on the patient's life.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 238
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
The nurse teaches a postmenopausal patient with stage III breast
cancer about the expected
outcomes of 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. "I will need follow-up examinations for many years after treatment
before I can be considered cured."
d. "Cancer is never cured, but the tumor can be controlled with surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation." - correct answer>>ANS: C
The risk of recurrence varies by the type of cancer. 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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 243
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
A patient with a large stomach tumor attached to the liver is scheduled
for a debulking procedure. Which information should the nurse teach
the patient about the outcome of this procedure?
a. Pain will be relieved by cutting sensory nerves in the stomach.
b. Relief of pressure in the stomach will promote better nutrition.
c. Decreasing the tumor size will improve the effects of other therapy.
d. Tumor growth will be controlled by the removal of malignant tissue. -
correct
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 245
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity
External-beam radiation is planned for a patient with cervical cancer.
What instructions should the nurse give to the patient to prevent
complications from the effects of the radiation?
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. -
correct
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 251
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrity
A patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma who is undergoing external
radiation therapy tells the
nurse, "I am so tired I can hardly get out of bed in the morning." Which
intervention should the nurse add to the plan of care?
a. Minimize activity until the treatment is completed.
b. Establish time to take a short walk almost every day.
c. Consult with a psychiatrist for treatment of depression.
d. Arrange for delivery of a hospital bed to the patient's home. - correct
answer>>ANS: B Walking programs are used to keep the patient
active without excessive fatigue.
Having a hospital bed does not necessarily address the fatigue.
The better option is to stay as active as
possible while combating fatigue. Fatigue is expected during treatment
and is not an indication of depression. Minimizing activity may lead to
weakness and other complications of immobility.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 253
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
The nurse is caring for a patient with colon cancer who is scheduled for
external radiation
