A chemotherapy drug that causes alopecia is prescribed for a patient. Which action should the nurse take to maintain the patient's self-esteem?
a. Tell the patient to limit social contacts until regrowth of the hair occurs.
b. Encourage the patient to purchase a wig or hat and wear it once hair loss begins.
c. Teach the patient to gently wash hair with a mild shampoo to minimize hair loss.
d. Inform the patient that hair usually grows back once the chemotherapy is complete.
ANS: B
The patient is taught to anticipate hair loss and to be prepared with wigs, scarves, or hats. Limiting social contacts is not appropriate at a time when the patient is likely to need a good social support system. The damage occurs at the hair follicle and will occur regardless of gentle washing or use of a mild shampoo. The information that the hair will grow back is not immediately helpful in maintaining the patient's self-esteem.
You might also like to view...
The hallmark findings that you would expect to see when assessing a patient with Cushing's syndrome would be:
1. edema of the trunk, extremities, and face. 2. wasting of the abdomen with thick, calloused skin. 3. excess adipose tissue in the trunk, slender extremities, and "moon" face. 4. high levels of potassium and low levels of sodium, weakness, and wasting.
In assessment of cross-cultural communication, which nonverbal behavior is the most important?
a. Placement of hands b. Facial expression c. Use of words d. Eye contact
Food enters the stomach via which orifice or sphincter?
a. Cardiac b. Upper esophageal c. Gastric d. Fundal
A pt with MG has been referred to a surgeon for a procedure that may improve the pt's symptoms. Which procedure does the nurse anticipate will be recommended for this pt?
a. percutaneous stereotactic rhizotomy b. thymectomy c. resecting severed nerve ends d. partial or complete severance of a nerve