Oncology Exam Questions with Verified
Answers
Lab values you should know - Answer-WBC- Chemo causes bone marrow suppression.
(below 4500)
Platelets- Below 150,000
Hyperphosphatemia - 2.7-4.5
Hyperkalemia - 8.8-10.4
Hyperuricemia - men 3.5-8.0, women 2.8-6.8
Hypocalcemia - 3.5-5.2
foods that increase cancer risk - Answer-Red meat, smoked meats/foods, charred
meats, processed, salty, fatty foods, spicy foods for prostate cancer. Artificial
sweeteners.
After learning that he has a benign tumor in his abdomen, the patient is overheard
telling his wife that he has cancer. What should the nurse say to the patient and
spouse?
1. "There is a growth in the abdomen but it is encapsulated and after being removed,
will not recur."
2. "This type of cancer is easily treated."
3. "This type of cancer will not spread to other tissues."
4. "Even though this growth has invaded other tissues, it can be contained." - Answer-
Correct Answer: 1
A benign tumor is encapsulated, slow-growing, and once removed, will not recur. The
patient does not have cancer but rather a benign tumor. Even though benign tumors will
not spread to other tissues, the nurse should not refer to the growth as being cancer.
The growth has not invaded other tissues.
A patient tells the nurse that he has a benign tumor that has spread into his lymph
glands. How should the nurse respond to this patient?
1. "What did your doctor tell you about the tumor?"
2. "Benign tumors do not spread."
3. "That's a good thing that the tumor is benign."
4. "Since it is benign, are you going to have surgery to remove it?" - Answer-Correct
Answer: 1
The patient believes that the tumor is benign; however, benign tumors do not spread.
These types of tumors are encapsulated and can be easily removed. Since the patient
seems to have conflicting information, the nurse should assess the patient by asking
what the physician explained about the tumor. The nurse should not tell the patient that
benign tumors do not spread. The nurse should not reinforce the patient's belief that the
tumor is benign. The patient may or may not know if surgery is indicated to remove the
tumor.
,A patient with a history of cancer is surprised to learn that new cancer has been
diagnosed in another body part. What should the nurse realize this patient is
experiencing?
1. metastasis
2. contact inhibition
3. destructive force from a benign neoplasm
4. a solid mass - Answer-Correct Answer: 1
Malignant cells from the primary tumor may travel through the blood or lymph to invade
other tissues and organs of the body and form a secondary tumor called a metastasis.
Malignant neoplasms can recur after surgical removal of the primary and secondary
tumors and after other treatments. Contact inhibition is a characteristic of benign
neoplasms. A destructive force from a benign neoplasm is when the benign tumor
impinges upon a body part causing damage. Benign tumors are usually solid masses.
A college student is diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus. The student has a history of
smoking and recreational cocaine use and works for a floor refinishing company part-
time. Which factors increase this student's risk for developing cancer?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. drug use
2. occupation
3. smoking
4. viral infection
5. age - Answer-Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
Some recreational drugs are also implicated as carcinogens. Immunosuppressant
promoters include heroin and cocaine. Examples of industrial and environmental
carcinogens include polycyclic hydrocarbons, found in soot; benzopyrene, found in
cigarette smoke; and arsenic, found in pesticides. Other industrial and environmental
chemicals are considered promotional agents. These include wood and leather dust,
polymer esters used in plastics and paints, carbon tetrachloride, asbestos, and phenol.
Benzopyrene found in cigarette smoke contributes to the development of cancer.
Several viruses have been associated with the development of cancer. These viruses
include Epstein-Barr. The patient's young age is not a risk factor for the development of
cancer.
The nurse is preparing to provide care to a group of assigned patients. Which patient
should the nurse realize is at the highest risk for developing cancer?
1. an African American man
2. a Native American woman
3. an Hispanic man
4. an Hispanic woman - Answer-Correct Answer: 1
African Americans have the highest mortality rate for all cancers and major cancers
among all ethnic groups. Cancer incidence and mortality are lower in Native American
men and women than in any other ethnic or racial group. Hispanics have higher rates of
cancers associated with infectious agents, such as uterine, cervix, liver, and stomach
cancer.
, The nurse is preparing to assess a patient who is newly diagnosed with cancer. What
should the nurse include in this assessment?
1. body image concerns
2. increased leukocytes
3. bone pain
4. increased hunger - Answer-Correct Answer: 1
There are several physical and psychologic effects that occur in a patient diagnosed
with cancer. One of these effects is body image concerns. The patient's leukocytes are
usually decreased, not increased. Bone pain will depend upon the type of cancer. A
change in appetite can occur, although is it usually a loss of appetite.
A patient diagnosed with cancer tells the nurse that he does not want to experience
anymore pain. What should the nurse do to help this patient?
1. Discuss pain control options.
2. Explain that every patient with cancer has pain.
3. Review ways to reduce pain without the use of medication.
4. Instruct on why pain will continue throughout treatment. - Answer-Correct Answer: 1
The pain associated with cancer is usually undertreated because of an inappropriate
use of opioids and barriers related to healthcare provider, patient, family, institution, and
society. Communication and knowledge deficit are the major barriers to effective pain
management. Because of this, the nurse should discuss pain control options with the
patient. Not every patient with cancer has pain. Reviewing ways to reduce pain without
the use of medication may or may not be appropriate for the patient. The nurse has no
way of knowing whether the patient's pain will continue throughout treatment.
A patient with neck cancer is scheduled for a diagnostic test to determine the success of
treatment. For what test should the nurse expect to prepare this patient?
1. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
2. computed tomography
3. x-ray imaging
4. ultrasonography - Answer-Correct Answer: 1
MRI is the diagnostic tool of choice for both screening and follow-up of cranial and head
and neck tumors. Computed tomography is used in the screening for renal cell and
most gastrointestinal tumors. X-ray imaging is still the method of choice for lung cancer.
Ultrasonography is used to detect early prostate cancers and is used to guide needle
biopsy. Ultrasound imaging is also used for detecting masses in the denser breast
tissue of young women.
A patient will be receiving busulfan (Myleran) as treatment for leukemia. Which
intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care for this patient?
1. Assess for infection.
2. Administer anti-emetic prior to chemotherapy.
3. Assess oral mucous membranes.
4. Check stool for occult blood. - Answer-Correct Answer: 1
Nursing interventions for a patient receiving busulfan (Myleran) include monitoring white
blood cell counts, monitoring blood urea nitrogen level, maintaining adequate fluid
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