R.M. begins a chemotherapy regimen of paclitaxel (Taxol) and cisplatin (Platinol). After receiving the
fourth course, she presents with shortness of breath, complaints of nausea, and early satiety with a
recent weight loss of 10 pounds.
Her abdomen is distended, and her Spo2 is 86% on room air. Her
current CA-125 level is 328 units/mL. You are admitting her directly from the oncologist's office to the
medical floor.
Explain the significance of R.M.'s CA-125 level.
CA-125 is a tumor marker specifically found on epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Any level above 35
units/mL is considered elevated. The higher the tumor burden, the higher the CA-125 level. The
current elevation indicates that she likely has had a recurrence of the disease.
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Directions: Write the abbreviation for the term
teaspoon: _____
The nurse prepares to give a drug that will prevent receptor activation. Which term would describe this drug?
A. Potent B. Agonist C. Selective D. Antagonist
The nurse is reinforcing teaching for a patient with aortic regurgitation on how to reduce cardiac workload. Which of these, if stated by a patient, indicates to the nurse correct understanding of these interventions?
a. "Lie flat when in bed." b. "Eat three large meals daily." c. "Elevate the legs hourly." d. "Alternate activity with rest."
During an anatomical class, Dr. Hales removes the heart of a frog and places it in a beaker of oxygenated Ringer's solution. He then instructs his health care trainees to observe how the muscles of the frog's heart continue to contract even without external stimulation. What property of the muscles of the heart is Dr. Hales asking his students to observe?
A. Tachycardia B. Biorhythmicity C. Bradycardia D. Autorhythmicity