Nursing Elites

1. The nurse has taught a client with cancer ways to prevent infection. What statement by the client indicates that more teaching is needed?

• A. I should take my temperature daily and when I don’t feel well.
• B. I will discard perishable liquids after sitting out for over an hour.
• C. I won’t let anyone share any of my personal toiletries.
• D. It’s alright for me to keep my pets and change the litter box.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Clients with cancer, especially those undergoing chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments, are at increased risk for infections due to a weakened immune system. Changing a litter box exposes the client to pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii and other harmful bacteria or parasites found in cat feces, which could lead to serious infections. It is recommended that immunocompromised individuals avoid activities like changing litter boxes to reduce their risk of exposure to infectious agents. A family member or caregiver should handle this task to protect the client.

2. A patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is receiving monoclonal antibody therapy. What is the priority assessment during the infusion of this medication?

• A. Vital signs
• B. Skin reactions
• C. Respiratory status
• D. Renal function

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vital signs. Monitoring vital signs is crucial during the infusion of monoclonal antibody therapy as there is a risk of infusion reactions such as fevers, chills, hypotension, and tachycardia. Assessing vital signs allows for early detection of any adverse reactions, enabling prompt intervention. Skin reactions (choice B), respiratory status (choice C), and renal function (choice D) are important assessments in general patient care but are not the priority during the infusion of monoclonal antibody therapy.

3. 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.

4. A 35-year-old male is admitted to the hospital complaining of severe headaches, vomiting, and testicular pain. His blood work shows reduced numbers of platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes, with a high proportion of immature cells. The nurse caring for this patient suspects a diagnosis of what?

• A. AML
• B. CML
• C. MDS
• D. ALL

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer where immature lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) proliferate uncontrollably in the bone marrow. This leads to a reduction in the production of platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes, causing symptoms such as fatigue, anemia, bleeding tendencies, and increased susceptibility to infection. In ALL, leukemic cell infiltration into other organs is common, which can manifest as severe headaches (due to central nervous system involvement), vomiting, and testicular pain (due to infiltration of leukemic cells into the testes). These are hallmark signs of ALL, especially in younger patients.

5. Nurse Casey is preparing to administer chemotherapy to a client with leukemia. The nurse wears gloves and a gown to administer the medication and to prevent exposure to the agent by which of the following routes?

• A. By ingestion
• B. By skin contact
• C. By absorption
• D. By inhalation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Chemotherapeutic agents can be hazardous to healthcare workers if they are exposed to the drugs during preparation or administration. One of the primary risks is inhalation, where small particles or aerosols of the drug can become airborne and be inhaled, potentially causing harm to the nurse. Protective gear such as gloves and a gown, as well as masks or respirators in some cases, helps prevent this type of exposure.

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