Chapter 49: Concepts of Care for Patients
with Oral Cavity and Esophageal Problems
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse participates in a community screening event for oral cancer. What client is the
highest priority for referral to a primary health care provider?
a. Client who has poor oral hygiene practices.
b. Client who smokes and drinks daily.
c. Client who tans for an upcoming vacation.
d. Client who occasionally uses illicit drugs.
ANS: B
Smoking and alcohol exposure create a high risk for this client. Poor oral hygiene is
not related to the etiology of cancer but may cause a tumor to go unnoticed. Tanning
is a risk factor, but short-term exposure does not have the same risk as daily exposure
to tobacco and alcohol.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Oral cancer, Health screening MSC: Client Needs
Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. The nurse notes that the primary health care provider documented the presence of
mucosal erythroplasia in a client. What does the nurse understand that this most likely
means for this client?
a. Early sign of oral cancer
b. Fungal mouth infection
, c. Inflammation of the gums
d. Obvious oral tumor
ANS: A
Mucosal erythroplasia is the earliest sign of oral cancer. It is not a fungal infection,
inflammation of the gums, or an obvious tumor.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Oral cancer, Assessment MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
3. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with oral cancer. What is the nurse’s
priority for client care?
a. Encourage fluids to liquefy the client’s secretions.
b. Place the client on Aspiration Precautions.
c. Remind the client to use an incentive spirometer.
d. Manage the client’s pain and inflammation.
ANS: B
The client who has oral cancer often has difficulty swallowing and is at risk for
aspiration and possibly aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, the most important nursing
action is to place the client on precautions to prevent aspiration. The nurse would
implement the other actions but they are not as vital to promote client safety.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Oral cancer, Plan of care MSC: Client
Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. A client has an open traditional hiatal hernia repair this morning. What is the nurse’s
priority for client care at this time?
a. Managing surgical pain
b. Ambulating the client early
with Oral Cavity and Esophageal Problems
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse participates in a community screening event for oral cancer. What client is the
highest priority for referral to a primary health care provider?
a. Client who has poor oral hygiene practices.
b. Client who smokes and drinks daily.
c. Client who tans for an upcoming vacation.
d. Client who occasionally uses illicit drugs.
ANS: B
Smoking and alcohol exposure create a high risk for this client. Poor oral hygiene is
not related to the etiology of cancer but may cause a tumor to go unnoticed. Tanning
is a risk factor, but short-term exposure does not have the same risk as daily exposure
to tobacco and alcohol.
DIF: Understanding TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Oral cancer, Health screening MSC: Client Needs
Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. The nurse notes that the primary health care provider documented the presence of
mucosal erythroplasia in a client. What does the nurse understand that this most likely
means for this client?
a. Early sign of oral cancer
b. Fungal mouth infection
, c. Inflammation of the gums
d. Obvious oral tumor
ANS: A
Mucosal erythroplasia is the earliest sign of oral cancer. It is not a fungal infection,
inflammation of the gums, or an obvious tumor.
DIF: Remembering TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Assessment
KEY: Oral cancer, Assessment MSC: Client Needs Category:
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
3. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with oral cancer. What is the nurse’s
priority for client care?
a. Encourage fluids to liquefy the client’s secretions.
b. Place the client on Aspiration Precautions.
c. Remind the client to use an incentive spirometer.
d. Manage the client’s pain and inflammation.
ANS: B
The client who has oral cancer often has difficulty swallowing and is at risk for
aspiration and possibly aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, the most important nursing
action is to place the client on precautions to prevent aspiration. The nurse would
implement the other actions but they are not as vital to promote client safety.
DIF: Applying TOP: Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning and
Implementation KEY: Oral cancer, Plan of care MSC: Client
Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. A client has an open traditional hiatal hernia repair this morning. What is the nurse’s
priority for client care at this time?
a. Managing surgical pain
b. Ambulating the client early
