Chemotherapy is used in conjunction with other treatment modalities.

Chemotherapy makes the body fluid a biohazard.

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for chemotherapy due to bone metastasis of prostate cancer.

Which of the following statements about chemotherapy made by the nurse is correct?

Choice A rationale

The sense of taste is primarily mediated by taste buds on the tongue, which detect dissolved chemicals. While olfaction (smell) significantly contributes to the perception of flavor, taste itself is a separate chemosensory system. A client with a laryngectomy, while losing olfaction due to altered airflow, can retain some basic taste sensation as the neural pathways for taste remain intact.

Choice B rationale

A total laryngectomy involves the removal of the larynx, which permanently alters the upper airway. Air no longer passes through the nasal cavity to reach the olfactory epithelium, the specialized tissue containing olfactory receptors. This anatomical change results in a permanent loss of the sense of smell (anosmia), and it will not return.

Choice C rationale

Olfaction plays a crucial role in the perception of food flavor by detecting volatile organic compounds. Without the ability to smell, the nuanced enjoyment of food is diminished, as flavor is a complex integration of taste, smell, and somatosensory inputs. However, the client can still perceive basic tastes and tactile sensations, allowing for some future enjoyment of eating.

Choice D rationale

Breathing through a stoma, an opening in the neck that connects directly to the trachea, bypasses the nasal passages entirely. This redirection of airflow means that odor molecules cannot reach the olfactory receptors located in the upper part of the nasal cavity. Consequently, the sense of smell is significantly diminished or completely lost due to the altered respiratory pathway.

Choice A rationale

Malaise, a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness, is a common non-specific symptom associated with many infections, including infective endocarditis. While present, it does not specifically indicate a worsening of the cardiac condition itself, but rather a systemic response to ongoing infection.

Choice B rationale

Anorexia, or loss of appetite, is a common symptom in chronic illnesses and infections like infective endocarditis. It is a systemic manifestation, often related to the inflammatory response and general debility. However, it is not a direct indicator of worsening cardiac function or valvular compromise.

Choice C rationale

Fever is a hallmark symptom of infective endocarditis, indicating ongoing bacterial proliferation and systemic inflammation. While persistent fever can signify inadequate treatment, it does not specifically pinpoint worsening cardiac compromise or valve damage as directly as symptoms related to cardiac function.

Choice D rationale

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, indicates a worsening of infective endocarditis, particularly if cardiac valves are severely compromised. Valvular damage can lead to heart failure, pulmonary congestion, and reduced cardiac output, resulting in impaired gas exchange and increased work of breathing, signaling a critical decline.