Deck 19: Cancer

Question 1

An older adult client diagnosed with colon cancer is being evaluated for surgical removal of the tumor.The nurse explains that the primary consideration is the:

A)absence of any chronic disorders.
B)absence of metastasis.
C)tumor's staging status.
D)client's presurgical health status.

Answer 1

client's presurgical health status.

Question 2

The nurse observes a suspicious mole on the back of an older adult who is undergoing palliative radiotherapy for brain metastasis.The nurse suspects that the mole:

A)is a result of the palliative radiation.
B)is a secondary cancer.
C)will not be screened.
D)was the primary cancer.

Answer 2

will not be screened.

Question 3

The nurse is using a tool to assess the quality of life of a 69-year-old hospice client.The nurse addresses the appropriate areas of concern when asking which of the following? Select all that apply.

A)"Are you able to bathe yourself?"
B)"Did your grandson get the grass cut like he planned?"
C)"How would you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?"
D)"Do you still have concerns about your will?"
E)"Can we talk about why you never remarried?"

Answer 3

"Are you able to bathe yourself?"
"Did your grandson get the grass cut like he planned?"
"How would you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?"
"Do you still have concerns about your will?"

Question 4

After a course of chemotherapy for cancer of the throat, an older adult client is admitted to the hospital with persistent nausea and vomiting.The nurse should initially assess the client for:

A)weight loss and weak gag reflex.
B)anemia and poor muscle tone.
C)oral inflammation and ulceration.
D)dehydration and infection.

Question 5

When obtaining a health history, the nurse recognizes that an older adult client has a risk factor for colorectal cancer when he reports:

A)that he is a vegetarian who eats soy products.
B)that he often uses a laxative.
C)a history of inflammatory bowel disease.
D)that he has diarrhea at least monthly.

Question 6

Which statement, if made by an older Caucasian adult man, indicates the need for further teaching about prostate cancer and its prevention?

A)"Digital rectal examinations aren't very effective in diagnosing prostate cancer."
B)"I should have a yearly PSA blood test."
C)"Prostate cancer can look a lot like an enlarged prostate."
D)"I am not in a high-risk category for the development of prostate cancer."

Question 7

An older adult client expresses concern about developing cancer in the future and asks the nurse advice about cancer prevention.The nurse shares that:

A)"Eating foods high in protein, such as chicken and fish, promote cell growth and repair, thus minimizing the risk."
B)"While there are some behaviors that can help minimize your risk, the possibility of developing cancer is usually determined by age 65."
C)"Most cancers that develop after age 65 generally respond well to cancer treatment modalities."
D)"Cancers that develop late in life are generally slow growing, so they generally don't contribute to this group's mortality."

Question 8

While awaiting the results of testing to determine a diagnosis of cancer, an older adult client asks a nurse to explain what happens when cancer metastasizes.The nurse responds:

A)"It is the result of prolonged exposure to an external agent."
B)"Cancer cells convert from transformed cells into small clusters of clonal cells."
C)"Cell control mechanisms fail, giving rise to aberrant cell growth."
D)"Cancer cells move from one location to another unconnected location."

Question 9

An older adult client has rheumatoid arthritis, which limits her manual dexterity and ability to perform breast self-examinations.In order to best address the client's need for breast health promotion, the nurse teaches the client to:

A)use the palm of her hand to perform monthly breast examinations.
B)schedule a mammogram every 12 months.
C)check each breast while in the shower if possible.
D)visit her physician yearly for a breast examination.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing discharge education for an older client and his family.The client's hematocrit is currently 24% as a result of cancer treatment therapy.To best address the client's hematology status, the nurse includes instructions to do what? Select all that apply.

A)Include eggs or egg substitute into the daily diet.
B)Avoid strenuous exercise until hematocrit improves.
C)Regularly take both a mid-morning and mid-afternoon nap.
D)Have a handful of raisins as an evening snack.
E)Check for bruising to the extremities and the gums.

Question 11

An older adult client asks the nurse why so many of her friends are developing cancers.The nurse responds best when responseing

A)"Cancer cells generally develop as a result of prolonged exposure to external agents."
B)"The longer we live the more exposure we have to environmental toxins."
C)"Aberrant growth seems to be the risk factor in the older adult that is not well understood."
D)"As we age our cells are less able to regulate replication appropriately."

Question 12

The family of an older adult diagnosed with cancer asks the nurse to explain how gene therapy might benefit their father.The nurse responds:

A)"The treatment decreases blood flow to the tumor and it dies."
B)"A virus is injected into the tumor and then it can't grow."
C)"The cancer cell's nucleus is destroyed and the cell shrivels."
D)"Photosensitizers are introduced into the cells so lasers can kill them."

Question 13

The family of an older adult client with breast cancer is reluctant to agree to the suggested treatment plan because they "have heard such horrible things about radiation therapy." The nurse responds:

A)"Radiation therapy no longer causes such terrible side effects."
B)"Your father's chances of recovery are best when radiation is included."
C)"Ask the oncologist if there are alternative treatments."
D)"Actually there is very effective symptom control now."

Question 14

The daughter of an older adult woman who had a colostomy as a result of colon cancer tells the nurse, "Mom seems to be so withdrawn; she has stopped going out with her friends and I'm really concerned." The most relevant nursing diagnosis for the client's reaction is:

A)Ineffective individual coping.
B)Dysfunctional grieving.
C)Social isolation.
D)Hopelessness.

Question 15

An older adult client is undergoing palliative surgery for colon cancer metastasis.The nurse explains to the family that this intervention is intended to:

A)prolong the client's life by several months.
B)improve the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.
C)relieve the pain associated with spread of the tumor.
D)prevent further tumor growth.

Question 16

When planning an educational program on cancer for a group of older adults, the nurse includes information regarding racial and ethnic patterns of cancer in the United States that includes:

A)the incidence of cancer is highest among African Americans.
B)Native Americans have the highest overall incident rates of cancer.
C)incidence rates for lung cancer are lowest for white women.
D)Hispanic women have the lowest incidence rates of cervical cancer.

Question 17

The nurse suspects the older adult client will require further diagnostic testing for possible lung cancer when the client does which of the following? Select all that apply.

A)Reports smoking two packs of cigarettes daily
B)Reports severe chest pain
C)Loses 10 pounds in 1 month
D)Takes several naps daily
E)Locates a palpable lump on the left lateral chest