The nurse is caring for a patient receiving external radiation for lung cancer.
What nursing considerations will the nurse implement to reduce the risks related to this treatment?

Place the patient in a private, lead-lined room during hospitalization.

Ensure all staff caring for the patient wear a dosimeter badge to track the radiation exposure.

Monitor the patient's skin integrity and avoid exposing the irradiated area to extreme heat or cold.

Restrict all visitors and post radioactive precautions signs on the patient's door.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale

Placing the patient in a private, lead-lined room is unnecessary for external radiation therapy, which does not make the patient radioactive. This consideration is more applicable to internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy), where radioactive materials are placed inside the body.

Choice B rationale

While dosimeter badges are essential for monitoring radiation exposure, they are more relevant for healthcare workers who may be exposed to radiation, not for patients receiving external radiation therapy. The patient themselves are not a source of radiation exposure.

Choice C rationale

Monitoring the patient's skin integrity is crucial because external radiation can cause skin irritation and damage. Avoiding exposure to extreme heat or cold helps prevent additional skin trauma and promotes healing.

Choice D rationale

Restricting visitors and posting radioactive precautions signs are unnecessary for patients receiving external radiation therapy. These precautions are more applicable to internal radiation therapy, where the patient may emit radiation.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Hypercalcemia is common in patients with bone metastasis. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, confusion, and excessive thirst. The nurse should notify the provider and draw blood to obtain the ionized calcium level for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Choice B rationale

Tumor lysis syndrome typically occurs in patients with rapidly proliferating tumors undergoing treatment, leading to the release of intracellular contents. Symptoms include hyperuricemia, not excessive thirst. This choice does not match the patient's presentation.

Choice C rationale

While infection can cause weakness and confusion, it does not typically cause extreme thirst. The patient's symptoms are more indicative of hypercalcemia, making this choice less relevant.

Choice D rationale

Bleeding can cause weakness and confusion due to anemia, but it does not cause extreme thirst. The symptoms of the patient are more aligned with hypercalcemia than bleeding.

A. "You will monitor me for flu-like symptoms during my immunotherapy infusions.” B. "I do not have to worry about losing my hair after this treatment.” C. "Immunotherapy uses my own immune system to help fight the cancer.” D. "This therapy will prevent me from getting hospital-acquired infections.”

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale

Monitoring for flu-like symptoms during immunotherapy infusions is crucial because these medications can cause cytokine release syndrome. Symptoms like fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches are common side effects of immunotherapy and require close monitoring to manage and mitigate adverse reactions.

Choice B rationale

Immunotherapy generally does not cause hair loss, unlike traditional chemotherapy. Hair loss occurs because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells. Immunotherapy works by enhancing the body's immune response to cancer cells without targeting hair follicles.

Choice C rationale

Immunotherapy leverages the patient's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It enhances the body's natural defenses by boosting immune system activity or by counteracting signals produced by cancer cells that suppress immune responses.

Choice D rationale

Immunotherapy does not prevent hospital-acquired infections. While it strengthens the immune system against cancer, it does not provide general protection against pathogens causing nosocomial infections. Patients undergoing immunotherapy should still follow standard precautions to avoid infections.

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The nurse is caring for a patient receiving external radiation for lung cancer.What nursing considerations will the nurse implement to reduce the risks related to this treatment?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a patient with stage IV metastatic breast cancer, who has metastasis to the bone.During assessment, the patient appears severely weak, fatigued, confused, and continually repeats "I'm so thirsty!” What will the nurse implement in the patient's plan of care?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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The nurse is caring for a patient receiving external radiation for lung cancer.
What nursing considerations will the nurse implement to reduce the risks related to this treatment?