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NURSE WISEMAN 2026/2027 MEDICINE
,NURS 480 Complex I - Module 5-7
(LeMone) Nurse Practitioners Review
Exam (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update)
100% Verified Questions & Answers |
Grade A+
A patient with a history of squamous cell lung cancer is
admitted to the hospital with arm and periorbital edema.
After a few hours, the patient exhibits dyspnea, cyanosis,
tachypnea, and an altered level of consciousness. Which
action should the nurse take first?
Call the physician.
Administer oxygen.
Monitor vital signs.
Initiate seizure precautions.
Administer oxygen.
Rationale: The superior vena cava can be compressed by
mediastinal tumors or adjacent thoracic tumors. The
most common cause is small-cell or squamous-cell lung
cancers. Signs and symptoms can develop slowly, and
include facial, periorbital, and arm edema as early signs.
As the problem progresses, respiratory distress, dyspnea,
cyanosis, tachypnea, and altered consciousness and
neurologic deficits can occur. Emergency measures
include the following: provide respiratory support with
,oxygen, and prepare for a tracheostomy; monitor vital
signs; administer corticosteroids to reduce edema; if the
disorder is due to a clot, administer antifibrinolytic or
anticoagulant drugs; provide a safe environment,
including seizure precautions.
The nurse is reviewing data collected on a group of
patients being treated for cancer. Which patient or
patients’ cancer type, pathophysiology, and symptoms
should the nurse identify as being consistent with the
oncological emergency of superior vena cava syndrome?
Patient A
Cancer Type: Small cell lung cancer
Pathophysiology: Tumor presses on superior vena cava,
thereby compressing it and causing compression and
venous system obstruction
Signs and Symptoms: Facial and periorbital edema
Patient B
Cancer Type: Breast cancer
Pathophysiology: Thrombus formed around a central
venous catheter plugs the vena cava
Signs and Symptoms: Dyspnea, tachypnea and cyanosis
Patient C
Cancer Type: Melanoma
, Pathophysiology: Tumor presses on the aorta causing
arterial compression resulting in obstruction of the aortic
system
Signs and Symptoms: Pitting edema of the lower
extremities
Patients A and B
Patients A and B
Rationale:: The superior vena cava can be compressed by
mediastinal tumors or adjacent thoracic tumors. The
most common cause is small-cell or squamous-cell lung
cancers. Occasionally the problem is caused by thrombus
around a central venous catheter that then plugs up the
vena cava, resulting in obstruction and backup of the
blood flowing into the superior vena cava. Obstruction of
the venous system causes increased venous pressure,
venous stasis, and engorgement of veins that are drained
by the superior vena cava. Signs and symptoms may
develop slowly; facial, periorbital, and arm edema are
early signs. As the problem progresses, respiratory
distress, dyspnea, cyanosis, tachypnea, and altered
consciousness and neurologic deficits may occur.
The nurse suspects that a patient being treated for cancer
is developing septic shock. What did the nurse assess to
come to this conclusion?
Cardiac dysrhythmia, increased urine output, and
confusion