The clinic nurse is caring for an adult oncology client who reports extreme fatigue and weakness after the first week of radiation therapy. Which response by the nurse would best reassure this client?
"These symptoms usually result from radiation therapy; however, we will continue to monitor your laboratory studies and test results."
"Even though it is uncomfortable, this is a good sign. It means that only the cancer cells are dying."
"Try not to be concerned about these symptoms. Every client feels this way after having radiation therapy."
"These symptoms are part of your disease and are an unfortunately inevitable part of living with cancer."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "These symptoms usually result from radiation therapy; however, we will continue to monitor your laboratory studies and test results.": Fatigue and weakness are common side effects of radiation because of the body’s increased energy demands and potential effects on bone marrow.
B. "Even though it is uncomfortable, this is a good sign. It means that only the cancer cells are dying.": Radiation affects both healthy and cancerous cells. Suggesting that fatigue is proof of treatment effectiveness can minimize the client’s distress and erode trust if the symptoms worsen.
C. "Try not to be concerned about these symptoms. Every client feels this way after having radiation therapy.": This dismisses the client’s unique experience and generalizes their condition. Clients need validation of their concerns, not minimization, and care must be tailored to their individual response to treatment.
D. "These symptoms are part of your disease and are an unfortunately inevitable part of living with cancer.": This statement is discouraging and increases hopelessness by linking fatigue only to the disease rather than treatment. It does not provide reassurance or promote collaborative management strategies.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. High self-awareness: Clients with personality disorders often have limited insight into their behaviors and how these affect others. They may not recognize their maladaptive patterns, making high self-awareness uncommon in this population.
B. Impaired relationships: Personality disorders are marked by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior and cognition, which significantly disrupt interpersonal functioning and lead to unstable, strained, or impaired relationships.
C. Empathy for others: Many personality disorders, especially antisocial or narcissistic types, involve difficulty with empathy. Even in other types, clients may be so preoccupied with their own distress that empathy is diminished.
D. Motivation to change: Clients with personality disorders often lack motivation to change because they do not perceive their behavior as problematic. Change typically occurs only when external pressures, such as legal, social, or health consequences, force them to seek help.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Highly self-directed people reflect low intolerance of change: This description does not explain the development of personality disorders. Self-direction is generally considered a positive trait that supports adaptability, not a factor leading to pathology.
B. Failure to complete developmental tasks: According to Erikson and other developmental theories, unresolved developmental stages such as trust, identity, or intimacy can lead to maladaptive coping patterns that evolve into personality disorders.
C. Cooperative people become less helpless over time: This reflects a positive growth pattern, not a factor in personality disorder development. Increased cooperation typically strengthens relationships and resilience rather than causing pathology.
D. Self-transcendence contributes to unaware self-consciousness: Self-transcendence is usually considered a positive quality associated with spirituality or meaning-making, not a cause of disordered personality development.
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