Alopecia resulting from chemotherapy is:
Irreversible.
Temporary.
Preventable.
Treatable.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Alopecia resulting from chemotherapy is generally not irreversible. While the degree and duration of hair loss can vary depending on the specific chemotherapy agents, dosage, and individual patient factors, hair regrowth typically occurs once chemotherapy treatment is completed.
Choice B rationale
Chemotherapy agents target rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells, leading to alopecia. However, hair follicle stem cells are generally not destroyed, allowing for hair regrowth after the cessation of chemotherapy. This regrowth typically begins a few weeks to months after the last dose, although the texture or color may initially differ.
Choice C rationale
Preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia is challenging and often not entirely possible with current interventions. Scalp cooling techniques can sometimes reduce the extent of hair loss by inducing vasoconstriction, thereby limiting the amount of chemotherapy reaching the hair follicles, but they do not universally prevent it.
Choice D rationale
While alopecia is a common side effect, it is not directly "treatable" in the sense of a cure or medication to restore hair instantly. Management focuses on supportive measures like wigs, scarves, and emotional support. Hair regrowth is a natural physiological process that occurs once the chemotherapy's impact on the hair follicles subsides.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A biopsy involves the surgical removal of tissue or cells for microscopic examination by a pathologist. This is considered the gold standard for cancer diagnosis because it allows for direct visualization of cellular morphology, architectural patterns, and specific cellular markers, providing definitive evidence of malignant transformation and tumor type, which other imaging or blood tests cannot conclusively provide.
Choice B rationale
While a biopsy can differentiate between inflammatory processes, benign growths, and malignant tumors, its primary purpose in the context of suspected cancer is not to determine if an infection is present. Infections are typically diagnosed through microbial cultures, serological tests, or direct antigen detection, not primarily through tissue biopsy for cancer.
Choice C rationale
A biopsy from the primary suspected site of cancer is used to confirm the initial diagnosis and characterize the primary tumor. While biopsies of suspicious secondary lesions can confirm metastasis, the initial diagnostic biopsy is not primarily aimed at confirming metastasis but rather at establishing the presence and type of primary cancer. Metastasis is often assessed through imaging studies.
Choice D rationale
While advancements in molecular pathology allow for genetic analysis of biopsy samples to detect specific mutations associated with cancer (e.g., for targeted therapies), the fundamental and initial reason for a biopsy in a possible cancer diagnosis is to determine the presence of abnormal, cancerous cells through histological examination, not solely for genetic mutation detection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Encouraging fresh fruits and vegetables, while generally healthy, poses a significant risk for neutropenic chemotherapy patients. These foods can harbor bacteria and fungi that, in an immunocompromised state (due to myelosuppression from chemotherapy), could lead to severe systemic infections like sepsis, which the patient's immune system cannot adequately combat.
Choice B rationale
Alcohol-based mouthwashes can be extremely irritating and drying to the delicate oral mucosa, especially in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy often causes mucositis, inflammation, and ulceration of the oral cavity. Using alcohol would exacerbate this, leading to increased pain, discomfort, and a higher risk of secondary infection due to mucosal breakdown.
Choice C rationale
Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, particularly neutropenia, severely compromises the patient's immune system. Fever in a neutropenic patient is considered a medical emergency as it can be the sole indicator of a life-threatening infection. Prompt monitoring and reporting allow for immediate investigation and initiation of empiric antibiotic therapy, which is crucial for preventing septic shock and mortality.
Choice D rationale
Administering NSAIDs routinely to chemotherapy patients is generally contraindicated due to their potential adverse effects. NSAIDs can inhibit platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of bleeding, which is a significant concern for patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, NSAIDs can cause gastric irritation and kidney injury, adding to the patient's existing vulnerabilities.
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