Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a female client experiencing neutropenia as a result of chemotherapy and develops a plan of care for the client. The nurse plans to:

• A. Restrict all visitors
• B. Restrict fluid intake
• C. Teach the client and family about the need for hand hygiene
• D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to prevent skin breakdown

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In clients experiencing neutropenia due to chemotherapy, the immune system is significantly compromised, leaving the client highly susceptible to infections. Meticulous hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infections in neutropenic patients. Teaching the client and their family the importance of frequent and proper handwashing helps reduce the transmission of harmful pathogens that could lead to severe infections in the neutropenic client. This simple but essential intervention is crucial in maintaining a safe environment.

2. 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.

3. Which of the following terms is another name for Billroth I?

• A. Gastroduodenostomy
• B. Gastrojejunostomy
• C. Gastroileostomy
• D. Gastrostomy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Gastroduodenostomy. Billroth I procedure involves the removal of a part of the stomach (usually the distal portion) and anastomosis of the remaining stomach to the duodenum. This procedure is known as Gastroduodenostomy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they refer to different surgical procedures involving connections with the jejunum, ileum, and creating an opening in the stomach, respectively, not the specific procedure described as Billroth I.

4. A clinic nurse is working with a patient who has a long-standing diagnosis of polycythemia vera. How can the nurse best gauge the course of the patient's disease?

• A. Document the color of the patient's palms and face during each visit.
• B. Follow the patient's erythrocyte sedimentation rate over time.
• C. Document the patient's response to erythropoietin injections.
• D. Follow the trends of the patient's hematocrit.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The course of polycythemia vera can be best ascertained by monitoring the patient's hematocrit, which should remain below 45%. Hematocrit levels are a key indicator in assessing the progression of the disease. Choices A, B, and C are not the most appropriate methods for gauging the course of polycythemia vera. Monitoring the color of the patient's palms and face, or their response to erythropoietin injections, may not provide an accurate reflection of the disease's progression. Similarly, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate can be affected in polycythemia vera, it is not the primary marker for monitoring the disease's course.

5. A young adult patient has received the news that her treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma has been deemed successful and that no further treatment is necessary at this time. The care team should ensure that the patient receives regular health assessments in the future due to the risk of what complication?

• A. Iron-deficiency anemia
• B. Hemophilia
• C. Hematologic cancers
• D. Genitourinary cancers

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hematologic cancers. Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are at a high risk of developing second cancers, with hematologic cancers being the most common complication. Regular health assessments are crucial for early detection and management. Iron-deficiency anemia (A) is not a typical long-term complication of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. Hemophilia (B) is a genetic bleeding disorder unrelated to Hodgkin lymphoma. Genitourinary cancers (D) are not the most common complication seen in survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma.

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