A client with leukemia is receiving radiation therapy. The nurse should assess the client regularly for which potential side effect of this treatment?
Peripheral neuropathy
Nausea and vomiting
Alopecia (hair loss)
Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
The Correct Answer is D
A) This choice is incorrect because peripheral neuropathy is more commonly associated with certain chemotherapy drugs, not radiation therapy.
B) This choice is incorrect because nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy, not radiation therapy.
C) This choice is incorrect because alopecia (hair loss) is more commonly associated with chemotherapy, not radiation therapy.
D) This choice is correct. Neutropenia, which is a decrease in the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), is a potential side effect of radiation therapy. This can increase the client's risk of infection, and regular monitoring of blood counts is necessary during treatment.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because an elevated red blood cell count is not a typical finding in leukemia. Leukemia is characterized by the overproduction of white blood cells, not red blood cells.
B) This choice is correct. Leukemia is associated with an elevated white blood cell count, particularly an abnormal increase in blast cells, which are immature cells indicative of leukemia.
C) This choice is incorrect because an elevated platelet count is not a typical finding in leukemia. Leukemia is more commonly associated with thrombocytopenia, which is a decreased platelet count.
D) This choice is incorrect because the laboratory report indicating elevated levels of blast cells in the peripheral blood supports the suspicion of leukemia, not the blast cells' presence in the bone marrow.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because leukemia is not primarily caused by exposure to infectious agents. While some viral infections may increase the risk of certain types of leukemia, infectious agents are not the main cause.
B) This choice is correct. The exact cause of leukemia is not fully understood, and it can vary among individuals. It is believed to result from a combination of genetic mutations and environmental factors, but no single cause has been identified for all cases.
C) This choice is incorrect because while genetic mutations can play a role in the development of some types of leukemia, they are not the only cause. Environmental factors and other unknown factors also contribute to leukemia.
D) This choice is incorrect because while environmental toxins and pollution may be risk factors for some individuals, they are not the leading factors in all cases of leukemia.
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