Nursing Elites

1. An oncology nurse educator is providing health education to a patient who has been diagnosed with skin cancer. The patient’s wife has asked about the differences between normal cells and cancer cells. What characteristic of a cancer cell should the educator cite?

• A. Malignant cells contain more fibronectin than normal body cells.
• B. Malignant cells contain proteins called tumor-specific antigens.
• C. Chromosomes contained in cancer cells are more durable and stable than those of normal cells.
• D. The nuclei of cancer cells are unusually large, but regularly shaped.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Malignant (cancer) cells often express tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), which are proteins or markers on the surface of cancer cells that are not found on normal cells. These antigens are produced due to genetic mutations in cancer cells and can sometimes be used to help the immune system recognize and attack cancerous cells. Tumor-specific antigens play a key role in cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and targeted therapies.

2. A nurse enters the room of a patient with bladder cancer. The patient asks the nurse about the actions of chemotherapeutic drugs. Which of the following statements by the nurse is correct?

• A. Chemotherapeutic drugs will kill all of your cancer cells
• B. Chemotherapeutic medications are attracted mostly to slowly dividing cells
• C. Chemotherapy can cure cancer
• D. Chemotherapy is specifically destroying cancer cells

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Chemotherapy drugs are designed to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells. Cancer cells often divide more quickly than normal cells, and chemotherapeutic agents exploit this characteristic to inhibit their growth and promote cell death. While chemotherapy can also affect other rapidly dividing normal cells (such as those in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles), the primary goal is to target cancerous cells.

3. A nursing student is caring for a patient with acute myeloid leukemia who is preparing to undergo induction therapy. In preparing a plan of care for this patient, the student should assign the highest priority to which nursing diagnosis?

• A. Activity Intolerance
• B. Risk for Infection
• C. Acute Confusion
• D. Risk for Spiritual Distress

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Risk for Infection. Induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia suppresses the immune system, making the patient highly susceptible to infections due to neutropenia. Preventing infections is crucial in these patients to avoid complications. Activity Intolerance (Choice A) may be a concern, but infection prevention is of higher priority. Acute Confusion (Choice C) and Risk for Spiritual Distress (Choice D) are not the immediate priorities in this situation.

4. Which of the following is not a manifestation of breast cancer?

• A. Peau d'orange
• B. Painless breast mass
• C. Alopecia
• D. Breast enlargement

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Alopecia (hair loss) is not a direct manifestation of breast cancer but rather a common side effect of chemotherapy used in breast cancer treatment. Peau d'orange refers to the dimpling or pitting of the skin resembling an orange peel, which can be a sign of breast cancer due to blockage of lymphatic vessels. A painless breast mass and breast enlargement can both be manifestations of breast cancer, with a painless mass being a common symptom and breast enlargement sometimes occurring due to tumor growth.

5. An emergency department nurse is triaging a 77-year-old man who presents with uncharacteristic fatigue as well as back and rib pain. The patient denies any recent injuries. The nurse should recognize the need for this patient to be assessed for what health problem?

• A. Hodgkin disease
• B. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• C. Multiple myeloma
• D. Acute thrombocythemia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is multiple myeloma (choice C). Back pain is a common presenting symptom in multiple myeloma, especially in older patients. This malignancy can lead to bone pain due to bone destruction and fractures. Hodgkin disease (choice A) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (choice B) typically present with symptoms like painless lymph node enlargement, fever, and weight loss. Acute thrombocythemia (choice D) is characterized by an increase in platelet count but is not typically associated with the symptoms described by the patient.

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