Cellular Regulation Exam 2025
Questions and Answers
Which of the following findings during a female breast examination should the nurse
report as suspicious for breast cancer?
a. Multiple nodules of round, lumpy, tender tissue in both breasts
b. A single soft, mobile, lobular nodule that is nontender
c. A poorly defined, firm lump that is nontender and nonmovable
d. A single soft lump that is well-defined and tender - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: C
A poorly defined, firm lump that is nontender, nonmovable, and fixed to the skin is
characteristic of breast cancer. All other choices are usually associated with benign
processes. All patients should have a diagnosis of cancer based upon physical
assessment and tissue pathology.
,A client who has just had a mastectomy is crying. When the nurse asks about her
crying, the client responds, "I know I shouldn't cry because this surgery may well save
my life." What is the nurse's best response?
a. "It is all right to cry. Mourning this loss will help make you stronger."
b. "I know this is hard, but your chances of survival are better now."
c. "I can arrange for someone who had a mastectomy to come visit if you like."
d. "How have you coped with difficult situations in the past?" - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: C
Often, cancer surgery involves the loss of a body part or a decrease in function.
Mourning or grieving for a body image alteration is a healthy part of adapting or
adjusting to a new image. Visiting with someone who has experienced the same
situation as the client is very helpful in showing the client that many aspects of life can
be the same afterward. If the opportunity to arrange this type of visit is available, this
would be the nurse's best response. The other options do not provide any assistance to
the client in coping with her new body image and grieving for her loss.
What priority intervention will the nurse employ to prevent injury to the patient with
bone cancer?
a. Using a lift sheet when repositioning the patient
b. Positioning the patient so the heels do not touch the mattress
,c. Providing small, frequent meals rich in calcium and phosphorus
d. Applying pressure for a full 5 minutes after intramuscular injections - ANSWER✔✔-
ANS: A
The resultant bone destruction from bone cancer can cause pathological fractures by
grasping or pulling on a patient by the extremities or trunk of the body during re-
positioning. Use of a lift sheet evenly distributes the patient's weight, lessening the
chance of fractures occurring. While safety risks exist, the priority for bone cancer is
reducing risk of fractures.
Which of the following statements is essential when teaching a patient who has received
an injection of iodine-131?
a. "Do not share a toilet with anyone else for 3 days."
b. "You need to save all your urine for the next 7 days."
c. "No special precautions are needed, because this is a weak type of radiation."
d. "You need to avoid contact with everyone except family members until the radiation
device is removed." - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: A
The radiation source is an unsealed isotope that is eliminated from the body mainly
through urine and feces. This material is radioactive for about 48 hours after instillation.
, The patient should not share a toilet with others for 3 days to ensure the isotope has
been completely eliminated and is no longer radioactive. Saving the urine is not
necessary. Contact should be avoided with anyone who may be ill or
immunocompromised. Patients are instructed to avoid crowded areas but isolation is
not necessary.
A patient with breast cancer asks the nurse why 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments is
necessary. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Your cancer is widespread and requires more than the usual amount of radiation
treatment."
b. "The cost of larger doses of radiation for a shorter period of time is justified by the
results."
c. "Research has shown more cancer cells are killed if the radiation is given in smaller
doses over a longer period of time."
d. "It is less likely your hair will fall out or you will become anemic if radiation is given
in smaller doses over a longer period of time." - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: C
Because of the varying responses of all the cancer cells within a given tumor, smaller
doses of radiation given on a daily basis for a set period of time provides multiple
opportunities for the destruction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal
tissues.
Questions and Answers
Which of the following findings during a female breast examination should the nurse
report as suspicious for breast cancer?
a. Multiple nodules of round, lumpy, tender tissue in both breasts
b. A single soft, mobile, lobular nodule that is nontender
c. A poorly defined, firm lump that is nontender and nonmovable
d. A single soft lump that is well-defined and tender - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: C
A poorly defined, firm lump that is nontender, nonmovable, and fixed to the skin is
characteristic of breast cancer. All other choices are usually associated with benign
processes. All patients should have a diagnosis of cancer based upon physical
assessment and tissue pathology.
,A client who has just had a mastectomy is crying. When the nurse asks about her
crying, the client responds, "I know I shouldn't cry because this surgery may well save
my life." What is the nurse's best response?
a. "It is all right to cry. Mourning this loss will help make you stronger."
b. "I know this is hard, but your chances of survival are better now."
c. "I can arrange for someone who had a mastectomy to come visit if you like."
d. "How have you coped with difficult situations in the past?" - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: C
Often, cancer surgery involves the loss of a body part or a decrease in function.
Mourning or grieving for a body image alteration is a healthy part of adapting or
adjusting to a new image. Visiting with someone who has experienced the same
situation as the client is very helpful in showing the client that many aspects of life can
be the same afterward. If the opportunity to arrange this type of visit is available, this
would be the nurse's best response. The other options do not provide any assistance to
the client in coping with her new body image and grieving for her loss.
What priority intervention will the nurse employ to prevent injury to the patient with
bone cancer?
a. Using a lift sheet when repositioning the patient
b. Positioning the patient so the heels do not touch the mattress
,c. Providing small, frequent meals rich in calcium and phosphorus
d. Applying pressure for a full 5 minutes after intramuscular injections - ANSWER✔✔-
ANS: A
The resultant bone destruction from bone cancer can cause pathological fractures by
grasping or pulling on a patient by the extremities or trunk of the body during re-
positioning. Use of a lift sheet evenly distributes the patient's weight, lessening the
chance of fractures occurring. While safety risks exist, the priority for bone cancer is
reducing risk of fractures.
Which of the following statements is essential when teaching a patient who has received
an injection of iodine-131?
a. "Do not share a toilet with anyone else for 3 days."
b. "You need to save all your urine for the next 7 days."
c. "No special precautions are needed, because this is a weak type of radiation."
d. "You need to avoid contact with everyone except family members until the radiation
device is removed." - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: A
The radiation source is an unsealed isotope that is eliminated from the body mainly
through urine and feces. This material is radioactive for about 48 hours after instillation.
, The patient should not share a toilet with others for 3 days to ensure the isotope has
been completely eliminated and is no longer radioactive. Saving the urine is not
necessary. Contact should be avoided with anyone who may be ill or
immunocompromised. Patients are instructed to avoid crowded areas but isolation is
not necessary.
A patient with breast cancer asks the nurse why 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments is
necessary. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Your cancer is widespread and requires more than the usual amount of radiation
treatment."
b. "The cost of larger doses of radiation for a shorter period of time is justified by the
results."
c. "Research has shown more cancer cells are killed if the radiation is given in smaller
doses over a longer period of time."
d. "It is less likely your hair will fall out or you will become anemic if radiation is given
in smaller doses over a longer period of time." - ANSWER✔✔-ANS: C
Because of the varying responses of all the cancer cells within a given tumor, smaller
doses of radiation given on a daily basis for a set period of time provides multiple
opportunities for the destruction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal
tissues.
