Exhibits

Choose:

Choice A: Show the caregiver how to check the patient’s temperature and blood pressure
Showing the caregiver how to check the patient’s temperature and blood pressure involves direct patient education and demonstration, which requires the clinical judgment and expertise of a licensed nurse. This task ensures that the caregiver understands the correct techniques and can accurately monitor the patient’s vital signs. Delegating this task to assistive personnel (AP) is not appropriate because it requires a higher level of skill and knowledge to teach and verify understanding.
Choice B: Give the patient a pamphlet that reinforces teaching done by the nurse
Giving the patient a pamphlet that reinforces teaching done by the nurse is a task that can be delegated to assistive personnel (AP). This action does not require clinical judgment or advanced skills. The pamphlet serves as a supplementary resource to the verbal and hands-on education provided by the nurse. It is a straightforward task that AP can perform, ensuring that the patient has access to written information that reinforces the nurse’s teaching.
Choice C: Evaluate whether the patient and caregiver understand the teaching
Evaluating whether the patient and caregiver understand the teaching is a critical component of the discharge process that requires the clinical judgment of a licensed nurse. This task involves assessing the patient’s and caregiver’s comprehension, identifying any gaps in understanding, and providing additional education as needed. It is not appropriate to delegate this responsibility to assistive personnel (AP) because it requires professional assessment skills.
Choice D: Plan topics for the discharge teaching session with the patient and caregiver
Planning topics for the discharge teaching session with the patient and caregiver involves developing a comprehensive and individualized teaching plan based on the patient’s specific needs and condition. This task requires the expertise and clinical judgment of a licensed nurse to ensure that all relevant topics are covered and that the teaching plan is tailored to the patient’s situation. Delegating this task to assistive personnel (AP) is not appropriate because it requires advanced planning and professional knowledge.

Choice A: True

Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic of cancer cells. However, they cannot selectively distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells that also divide rapidly, such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. This lack of selectivity leads to the common side effects of chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea, and decreased blood cell counts. The inability to differentiate between normal and cancer cells is a significant limitation of traditional chemotherapy.

Choice B: False

This choice is incorrect. If chemotherapy drugs could selectively target only cancer cells, the treatment would have fewer side effects and be more effective. However, the non-selective nature of these drugs means they also damage normal, healthy cells that divide rapidly. This non-selectivity is why patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience a range of side effects, as the treatment impacts both cancerous and healthy cells.