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?

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).

Hypercalcemia.

Spinal cord compression.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS).

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

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.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure proper absorption. Taking it with food can interfere with its effectiveness.

Choice B rationale

Monitoring for chest pain or symptoms of angina is crucial as levothyroxine can increase the heart rate and potentially exacerbate pre-existing heart conditions, especially in elderly patients.

Choice C rationale

Monitoring prothrombin time is important for patients taking warfarin because levothyroxine can enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding.

Choice D rationale

Stopping levothyroxine abruptly can cause severe hypothyroid symptoms, so it should not be discontinued without consulting a healthcare provider.

Choice E rationale

Hypothyroidism patients are often more sensitive to sedatives, so reducing the dose of any sedative agents can prevent excessive sedation and other adverse effects. .

A. Notify the healthcare provider. B. Administer insulin using the sliding scale. C. Provide skin care after assessing the skin. D. Monitor intake and output and daily weight.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Notifying the healthcare provider is the appropriate first action when significant ecchymosis is observed in a patient with Cushing's syndrome, as it may indicate a need for medical intervention.

Choice B rationale

Administering insulin is not relevant as the primary concern here is the ecchymosis, not hyperglycemia.

Choice C rationale

While providing skin care is important, it does not address the potential underlying cause of the ecchymosis, necessitating provider notification first.

Choice D rationale

Monitoring intake and output and daily weight is a general care measure but does not address the immediate concern of ecchymosis observed.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism who has a new prescription for levothyroxine 50 mcg orally.Which interventions will the nurse include in the plan of care? Select All That Apply.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

The nurse has received SBAR report on a patient with Cush and ecchymoses on the upper extremity.What action should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is assessing a patient with metastatic prostate cancer who was admitted with sudden onset of back pain, lower extremity weakness, difficulty walking, and paresthesia in their toes.What intervention will the nurse implement for this patient?

The nurse is discussing dietary changes with a patient newly diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism.Which will the nurse encourage the patient to include in their diet?

The nurse is caring for a 28-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma scheduled to begin treatment with chemotherapy and radiation.The patient states that she is trying to become pregnant.What is the nurse's best response?

The nurse is assessing a patient who has received the first dose of chemotherapy for leukemia.Which patient's clinical findings indicate to the nurse that the patient has developed tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)?

The nurse is caring for a patient with hypothyroidism who is prescribed levothyroxine.Which assessment data indicates to the nurse that the medication has been effective?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a new prescription for levothyroxine.The nurse will include in the teaching plan that levothyroxine decreases the action of which medication?

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?

The nurse on the oncology unit is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy for treatment of leukemia.Which patient finding is the nurse's priority for implementing interventions?

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?