The nurse is assessing a client who is 24-hours post-op after creation of a descending end colostomy due to colon cancer. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?

A. Malignant melanoma often appears as an irregularly shaped lesion with variegated colors (brown, black, red, white, or blue) and uneven borders. It is usually larger and more aggressive than the lesion described.
B. Actinic keratosis typically presents as rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas and is considered a precancerous lesion rather than a form of skin cancer itself.
C. Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a firm, red nodule or a scaly, crusted lesion that may ulcerate. It is more likely to be aggressive than basal cell carcinoma.
D. Basal cell carcinoma commonly presents as a small, raised, flesh-colored or pink lesion with pearly or translucent borders, which fits the description provided. It is the most common and least aggressive type of skin cancer.

A. Pancreatic cancers are indeed classified into two main categories: endocrine (which involves the hormone-producing cells, such as insulin-producing cells, and is much less common) and exocrine (which involves the cells that produce digestive enzymes, and is the more common form, typically referred to as pancreatic adenocarcinoma). However, this option doesn't provide the most relevant information for client education, particularly because the exocrine type is much more common, and the statement is somewhat vague in terms of how it relates to the client's immediate understanding of the condition.

B. Unlike some other cancers (e.g., colorectal cancer), pancreatic cancer does not typically develop from polyps. Most cases of pancreatic cancer develop from the pancreatic ductal cells (the cells lining the ducts of the pancreas), and the disease is typically aggressive and diagnosed at a later stage.

C. The pancreas is located in a central area of the abdomen, near many vital organs such as the liver, stomach, intestines, and large blood vessels. Because of this location, pancreatic cancer has a high tendency to spread to nearby structures such as the liver, stomach, and major blood vessels early in its course. This characteristic often makes pancreatic cancer more difficult to treat and contributes to its poor prognosis.

D. Pancreatic cancer is not distinguished based on layers. Instead, it is generally categorized based on the type of cells it affects (e.g., ductal cells in exocrine pancreatic cancer). The staging of pancreatic cancer is based on factors like tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis, rather than the layers of the pancreas.