Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is being treated for leukemia in the hospital. The patient was able to maintain her nutritional status for the first few weeks following her diagnosis but is now exhibiting early signs and symptoms of malnutrition. In collaboration with the dietitian, what intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Arrange for total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
• B. Facilitate placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.
• C. Provide the patient with several small, soft-textured meals each day.
• D. Assign responsibility for the patient's nutrition to the patient's friends and family.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For patients experiencing difficulties with oral intake, the provision of small, easily chewed meals may be beneficial. Option A (TPN) and B (PEG tube placement) are more invasive interventions and should be considered if non-oral routes are necessary. Option D is not appropriate as the primary responsibility for a patient's nutrition should lie with healthcare professionals to ensure proper management and monitoring.

2. Which of the following is a correct statement by the nurse to a patient under radiation therapy?

• A. Brachytherapy can be administered by a pregnant nurse
• B. Teletherapy makes the patient radioactive
• C. Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy
• D. Teletherapy requires proper disposal of feces since feces is not a source of radiation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct statement is that Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy. Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources inside or near the tumor, delivering a high radiation dose to the targeted area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Choices A and B are incorrect because pregnant nurses should not administer radiation therapy and brachytherapy does not make the patient radioactive. Choice D is incorrect as feces is not a source of radiation in teletherapy, and it does not require special disposal.

3. An oncology nurse is caring for a patient who has developed erythema following radiation therapy. What should the nurse instruct the patient to do?

• A. Periodically apply ice to the area.
• B. Keep the area cleanly shaven.
• C. Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area.
• D. Avoid using soap on the treatment area.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. When a patient develops erythema following radiation therapy, it is essential to avoid further irritation and potential infection. Using soap on the affected area can exacerbate the condition. Applying ice (choice A) may provide temporary relief for discomfort but does not address the underlying issue. Keeping the area cleanly shaven (choice B) is not necessary and may increase the risk of skin irritation. Applying petroleum jelly (choice C) can trap heat and worsen the erythema, so it is not recommended.

4. A 54-year-old has a diagnosis of breast cancer and is tearfully discussing her diagnosis with the nurse. The patient states, 'They tell me my cancer is malignant, while my coworker's breast tumor was benign. I just don't understand at all.' When preparing a response to this patient, the nurse should be cognizant of what characteristic that distinguishes malignant cells from benign cells of the same tissue type?

• A. Slow rate of mitosis of cancer cells
• B. Different proteins in the cell membrane
• C. Differing size of the cells
• D. Different molecular structure in the cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Malignant cells have different proteins in their membranes, such as tumor-specific antigens, which distinguish them from benign cells. Choice A is incorrect as cancer cells typically have a rapid and uncontrolled rate of mitosis. Choice C is incorrect as the size of cells alone does not distinguish between malignant and benign cells. Choice D is incorrect as the molecular structure is not the primary characteristic that distinguishes between malignant and benign cells.

5. A patient with myelofibrosis is being treated with ruxolitinib. What should the nurse monitor to assess the effectiveness of this treatment?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. White blood cell count
• C. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
• D. Spleen size

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit is essential to assess the effectiveness of ruxolitinib in treating myelofibrosis. Ruxolitinib works by inhibiting JAK1 and JAK2, which are involved in the signaling pathways that regulate blood cell production. Therefore, monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit levels can provide valuable information on how well the drug is managing the disease. Blood pressure, white blood cell count, and spleen size are not direct indicators of the treatment's effectiveness in myelofibrosis.

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