A nurse is caring for a 54-year-old male client in the oncology unit who is undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. The nurse must evaluate the client’s condition based on provided exhibits to determine which assessments indicate an improvement in the client’s condition.
Which of the following assessments indicates an improvement in the client’s condition?
Oral health
Bleeding episodes
Weight change
WBC count
Platelet count
Correct Answer : B,D,E
Choice A rationale: Oral health indicates the absence of mucositis or other oral complications, which is good, but it doesn't necessarily reflect overall improvement in the client's cancer or chemotherapy response.
Choice B rationale: The absence of bleeding episodes is significant. This suggests that the client's platelet count has improved, reducing the risk of bleeding, which is an important indicator of recovery.
Choice C rationale: While weight maintenance or gain can be an indicator of health improvement, the slight decrease in weight from January to February (70.5 kg to 69 kg) does not suggest an improvement.
Choice D rationale: An increase in the WBC count to within the normal range (4.2 x 10⁹/L) is a positive sign. It indicates that the client’s immune system is recovering, which is crucial during chemotherapy.
Choice E rationale: The improvement in platelet count to within the normal range (150 x 10⁹/L) suggests a reduced risk of bleeding and reflects better bone marrow function, which is a positive outcome of the treatment.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Examining the client for hepatomegaly can be part of a broader assessment but does not directly address the fatigue related to chemotherapy, particularly cisplatin, which is known to cause bone marrow suppression.
Choice B rationale
Assessing for a hypersensitivity reaction is important during chemotherapy, but it does not specifically address the issue of fatigue, which is often related to blood cell counts.
Choice C rationale
Checking the results of the client's most recent CBC (complete blood count) is crucial because cisplatin can cause anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, all of which can lead to significant fatigue.
Choice D rationale
Evaluating for hypercalcemia is not typically associated with cisplatin treatment; it is more relevant in malignancies associated with bone metastasis or overproduction of parathyroid hormone-related protein.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Joint pain in hands and knees is a common symptom of SLE due to inflammation but is not immediately life-threatening. It requires management but is not the highest priority.
Choice B rationale
A dry, raised rash on the face, such as a malar rash, is common in SLE and should be monitored and treated, but it is not immediately life-threatening.
Choice C rationale
Feelings of depression are serious and need addressing but are not an immediate threat to physical health. Depression is often associated with chronic illnesses and requires comprehensive mental health support.
Choice D rationale
Presence of peripheral edema could indicate renal involvement or cardiac issues in SLE, which can be life-threatening. It is crucial to address this finding urgently to prevent complications such as renal failure or severe cardiovascular events.
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