The nurse is caring for a patient with lung cancer who suddenly develops shortness of breath, jugular venous distention, and edema in the face, neck, and arms.
The nurse promptly notifies the healthcare provider that the patient is exhibiting signs of which oncologic emergency?

Choice A rationale

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) results from the rapid breakdown of cancer cells, leading to metabolic imbalances such as hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and arrhythmias. TLS is a metabolic emergency seen in high-turnover cancers like leukemia or lymphoma and is not associated with symptoms like jugular venous distention or edema in the face, neck, and arms.

Choice B rationale

Hypercalcemia, often due to bone metastasis or certain paraneoplastic syndromes, presents with symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, constipation, nausea, polyuria, and polydipsia. It is not related to the symptoms described in the question, which are indicative of a different oncologic emergency.

Choice C rationale

Spinal cord compression occurs when a tumor compresses the spinal cord, leading to symptoms like severe back pain, weakness, sensory changes, and autonomic dysfunction. It does not explain the symptoms of jugular venous distention, facial, neck, and arm edema.

Choice D rationale

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when a tumor compresses the superior vena cava, leading to decreased venous return from the upper body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, jugular venous distention, and edema of the face, neck, and arms due to impaired blood flow. This is an oncologic emergency requiring prompt intervention to reduce the obstruction.