Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is reviewing the history of a client with bladder cancer. The nurse expects to note documentation of which most common symptom of this type of cancer?

• A. Dysuria
• B. Hematuria
• C. Urgency on urination
• D. Frequency of urination

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is the most common and distinctive symptom associated with bladder cancer. It can present as either gross hematuria (visible blood) or microscopic hematuria (detected only through urinalysis). The presence of blood in the urine often prompts further evaluation for potential underlying causes, including bladder cancer. It is crucial for healthcare providers to recognize this symptom, as early detection significantly impacts treatment outcomes.

2. While giving care to a client with an internal cervical radiation implant, the nurse finds the implant in the bed. The nurse should take which initial action?

• A. Call the health care provider (HCP).
• B. Reinsert the implant into the vagina.
• C. Pick up the implant with gloved hands and flush it down the toilet.
• D. Pick up the implant with long-handled forceps and place it in a lead container.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When caring for a client with an internal cervical radiation implant, safety measures must be followed to protect both the client and healthcare personnel from radiation exposure. If the implant becomes dislodged and is found in the bed, the nurse’s priority is to handle it safely using long-handled forceps, as direct contact with the implant could result in radiation exposure. The implant should be placed in a lead-lined container, which is specifically designed to shield against radiation, to prevent further contamination or exposure. After securing the implant, the nurse should notify the radiation safety officer or healthcare provider for further guidance.

3. A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to begin chemotherapy treatment and the nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about potential adverse effects. When addressing the most common adverse effect, what should the nurse describe?

• A. Pruritis (itching)
• B. Nausea and vomiting
• C. Altered glucose metabolism
• D. Confusion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are among the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, but they also affect healthy cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, triggering the release of chemicals that stimulate the brain’s vomiting center. These side effects can occur immediately (acute), be delayed, or even anticipatory, and often require management with antiemetic (anti-nausea) medications to improve the patient’s comfort and quality of life during treatment.

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. The nurse is caring for a client following radical neck dissection and creation of a tracheostomy. Which assessment finding would indicate an immediate need for intervention?

• A. Frequent swallowing
• B. Presence of mucous membranes
• C. Bubbling in the water-seal chamber
• D. Inspiratory stridor

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Inspiratory stridor is the correct answer as it suggests airway obstruction, a critical issue requiring immediate intervention. Frequent swallowing (choice A) is a common postoperative finding and does not indicate an immediate need for intervention. The presence of mucous membranes (choice B) is a normal finding and does not require immediate intervention. Bubbling in the water-seal chamber (choice C) of a chest tube drainage system is an expected finding and indicates proper functioning of the system, not an immediate need for intervention.

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