ATI RN
ATI Oncology Questions
1. The clinic nurse is caring for a 42-year-old male oncology patient. He complains of extreme fatigue and weakness after his first week of radiation therapy. Which response by the nurse would best reassure this patient?
- A. These symptoms usually result from radiation therapy; however, we will continue to monitor your laboratory and x-ray studies.
- B. These symptoms are part of your disease and are an unfortunately inevitable part of living with cancer.
- C. Try not to be concerned about these symptoms. Every patient feels this way after having radiation therapy.
- D. Even though it is uncomfortable, this is a good sign. It means that only the cancer cells are dying.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue and weakness are common side effects of radiation therapy, often due to the body’s response to radiation damage and the energy required to repair both cancerous and healthy cells affected by the treatment. Reassuring the patient that these symptoms are expected while also emphasizing ongoing monitoring (through lab and x-ray studies) provides both comfort and a sense of proactive care. It ensures the patient that their symptoms are being addressed in a safe and medically appropriate way.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who is to begin receiving external radiation for a malignant tumor of the neck. While providing patient education, what potential adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
- A. Impaired nutritional status
- B. Cognitive changes
- C. Diarrhea
- D. Alopecia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Impaired nutritional status is a potential adverse effect of radiotherapy to the head and neck due to alterations in oral mucosa and taste. While cognitive changes, diarrhea, and alopecia can be side effects of other treatments or conditions, they are not typically associated with external radiation for a malignant tumor of the neck. Therefore, the nurse should primarily focus on discussing the risk of impaired nutritional status with the patient.
3. The nurse is reviewing the medication record for a client receiving chemotherapy and notes that the client is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). The nurse determines that this medication has been prescribed to:
- A. Increase white blood cell production
- B. Treat anemia
- C. Reduce pain
- D. Prevent infection
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Epoetin alfa (Epogen) is a synthetic form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Chemotherapy often leads to anemia due to its effects on rapidly dividing cells, including those in the bone marrow responsible for red blood cell production. By administering epoetin alfa, the healthcare provider aims to increase the red blood cell count and improve hemoglobin levels, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with anemia, such as fatigue and weakness.
4. A client receiving chemotherapy is experiencing severe nausea and vomiting. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer antiemetics 30 minutes before chemotherapy.
- B. Offer small, frequent meals that are bland and easy to digest.
- C. Encourage the client to rest after meals to reduce nausea.
- D. Instruct the client to use relaxation techniques.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antiemetics 30 minutes before chemotherapy. Administering antiemetics before chemotherapy is crucial to prevent nausea rather than treating it after it occurs. This proactive approach helps in minimizing the side effects. Choice B, offering small, frequent meals, can be beneficial but is not the first intervention for severe nausea and vomiting. Choice C, encouraging rest after meals, may help but is not the priority when the client is experiencing severe symptoms. Choice D, instructing the client to use relaxation techniques, is not the first-line intervention for severe nausea and vomiting in a client receiving chemotherapy.
5. An oncology nurse is providing health education for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. What should the nurse explain about commonalities between all of the different subtypes of leukemia?
- A. The different leukemias all involve unregulated proliferation of white blood cells.
- B. The different leukemias all have unregulated proliferation of red blood cells and decreased bone marrow function.
- C. The different leukemias all result in a decrease in the production of white blood cells.
- D. The different leukemias all involve the development of cancer in the lymphatic system.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Leukemia commonly involves unregulated proliferation of white blood cells.
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