A nurse is teaching a group of middle adult clients about early detection of cancer.

The nurse should include the American Cancer Society recommendation that men and women at average risk should have which of the following screening tests?

Rationale for correct condition: Mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy that causes inflammation and soreness in the mouth. The client reports mouth soreness and dry mucous membranes, consistent with mucositis. The presence of mild erythema on the oral mucosa also supports this diagnosis. Chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine and anthracycline are known to cause mucositis. Addressing mucositis early is crucial for maintaining the client’s nutrition and hydration.

Rationale for actions: Providing a soft sponge toothbrush helps maintain oral hygiene without causing further irritation. Maintaining the client’s diet ensures adequate nutrition, which is essential for healing mucositis. Pad the siderails of the bed is unnecessary in this scenario, as there's no indication of seizure risk. Requesting an antiemetic is irrelevant since the client has no significant nausea or vomiting.

Rationale for parameters: Monitoring weight loss helps assess the client’s nutritional status and the effectiveness of dietary interventions. Tracking intake and output ensures the client is adequately hydrated and that oral intake is sufficient. Edema monitoring is unnecessary, as there's no sign of fluid retention. Steatorrhea is not relevant in this context, as there's no indication of fat malabsorption.

Rationale for incorrect conditions: Diarrhea is not indicated as the client’s primary complaint is mouth soreness, not gastrointestinal upset. Angioedema is characterized by swelling and is not observed in the client. Seizures are not relevant here, as the client shows no neurological signs suggestive of seizure activity.

Choice A rationale
Restricting foods containing potassium helps prevent hyperkalemia, a common metabolic imbalance in tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) due to the rapid release of intracellular potassium from lysed tumor cells.
Choice B rationale
Giving sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia. It works by binding potassium in the gut and helping excrete it from the body, but it is not a preventive measure for metabolic imbalances in TLS.
Choice C rationale
Keeping urine pH below 7.0 is not recommended for TLS. Alkalinizing the urine to a pH above 7.0 helps prevent uric acid crystallization and renal damage, which is crucial in managing TLS.
Choice D rationale
Restricting all oral fluids is not advisable for TLS. Adequate hydration is essential to support kidney function and enhance the excretion of electrolytes and uric acid, which helps prevent and manage TLS.