the nurse is caring for a patient who has just been given a 6 month prognosis following a diagnosis of extensive stage small cell lung cancer the pati

ATI RN

Oncology Test Bank

1. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just been given a 6-month prognosis following a diagnosis of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. The patient states that he would like to die at home, but the team believes that the patient's care needs are unable to be met in a home environment. What might you suggest as an alternative?

A. Discuss a referral for rehabilitation hospital.
B. Panel the patient for a personal care home.
C. Discuss a referral for acute care.
D. Discuss a referral for hospice care.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate alternative to address the patient's desire to die at home while ensuring proper care is hospice care. Hospice care is specifically designed to provide support to patients and families in situations where the patient's needs cannot be met at home. Rehabilitation hospital (Choice A), personal care home (Choice B), and acute care (Choice C) are not the most suitable options in this case as they do not focus on end-of-life care and support like hospice care does.

2. 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.

3. A home health nurse is caring for a patient with multiple myeloma. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize when addressing the patients severe bone pain?

A. Implementing distraction techniques
B. Educating the patient about the effective use of hot and cold packs
C. Teaching the patient to use NSAIDs effectively
D. Helping the patient manage the opioid analgesic regimen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Multiple myeloma causes severe bone pain due to the proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to osteolytic lesions and bone destruction. Opioid analgesics are often required to manage this level of pain effectively, especially in cases where the pain is severe and chronic. The nurse's priority should be helping the patient manage their opioid regimen, ensuring they understand proper dosing, side effects, and safe use of the medication. Opioids are generally necessary in such cases because they provide stronger pain relief compared to other types of analgesics, such as NSAIDs or non-opioid medications.

4. Nurse Kent is teaching a male client to perform monthly testicular self-examinations. Which of the following points would be appropriate to make?

A. Testicular cancer is a highly curable type of cancer
B. Testicular cancer is very difficult to diagnose.
C. Testicular cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in males.
D. Testicular cancer is more common in older men.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Testicular cancer is indeed highly treatable and curable, particularly when detected early through regular self-examinations. The survival rates for testicular cancer are very high, with many cases being treatable even if the cancer has spread, thanks to effective treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Educating clients on the importance of early detection through monthly testicular self-examinations can empower them to recognize any changes early, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.

5. The public health nurse is presenting a health-promotion class to a group at a local community center. Which intervention most directly addresses the leading cause of cancer deaths in North America?

A. Monthly self-breast exams
B. Smoking cessation
C. Annual colonoscopies
D. Monthly testicular exams

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In North America, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women, and the primary risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. Therefore, promoting smoking cessation is a critical public health intervention that directly addresses this significant health issue. By helping individuals quit smoking, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the incidence of lung cancer and associated deaths, making this intervention a priority in cancer prevention efforts.