A nurse is teaching a client who has a newly diagnosed metastatic brain tumor. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A reason:

This statement is true, as explained above.

Choice B reason:

This statement is not specific to the surgery, but to the brain tumor itself. Brain tumors can cause seizures, memory loss, or changes in personality by affecting the function of different areas of the brain.

Choice C reason:

This statement is not specific to the surgery, but to the increased intracranial pressure caused by the brain tumor. Increased intracranial pressure can cause nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing by compressing the brainstem and affecting the autonomic nervous system.

Choice D reason:

This statement is not specific to the surgery, but to the location of the brain tumor. Brain tumors that involve the cranial nerves can cause hearing loss, vision loss, or facial paralysis by impairing their function.

Choice A reason:

This statement is true. Metastatic brain tumors are lesions that spread from a primary cancer site outside of the body, such as breast, kidney, lung, or gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Choice B reason:

This statement is true. Metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors, accounting for about half of all brain tumors.

Choice C reason:

This statement is true. Metastatic brain tumors can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the location, size, number, and type of tumor.

Choice D reason:

This statement is false. Metastatic brain tumors usually have a worse prognosis than primary brain tumors, because they indicate a systemic disease and often recur after treatment.

Choice E reason:

This statement is true. Metastatic brain tumors can cause increased intracranial pressure and neurological deficits by applying pressure to surrounding brain tissue and impairing cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.