The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old female with head and neck cancer who had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove the tumor. She is scheduled to begin external beam radiation therapy 1 week after discharge from the hospital
When discussing the radiation treatment, the nurse understands that it is important to stress: Select all that apply. 1. Getting lots of rest.
2. Meticulous skin care.
3. Protecting the scalp from alopecia.
4. Monitoring blood pressure.
5. Monitoring weight gain.
1. Getting lots of rest.
2. Meticulous skin care.
Rationale: Getting lots of rest. Many patients who receive radiotherapy experience fatigue. The exact causative mechanism is unknown, although it is thought to be due to the result of tumor breakdown, which releases by-products into the bloodstream. Fatigue typically begins during the third or fourth week of treatment and will gradually wane once the treatment is over. Meticulous skin care. One side effect experienced by most radiation therapy patients is skin changes. Skin reactions may occur within 2 weeks of beginning treatment. Erythema may be noted to range from mild, light pink to deep and dusky red. Meticulous skin care is necessary in order to prevent a skin infection. These patients need education focused on maintaining good hygiene and when to alert their health care provider for signs of skin infection. Protecting the scalp from alopecia. There is not anything that can be done to protect the scalp from alopecia. Monitoring blood pressure. There are no specific blood pressure changes associated with radiation. Monitoring weight gain. Weight gain is not a problem for radiation clients. Loss of appetite followed by weight loss is a common occurrence with radiation.
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The nursing student can use which of the following strategies to prevent feeling overwhelmed by the additional role of student? Standard Text: Select all that apply
1. Fill in holidays, vacations, and medical and dental appointments on a planning calendar. 2. Add due dates for homework and tests as they are assigned. 3. Schedule study time on the calendar. 4. Squeeze personal and social time into schedule as other scheduled items are completed. 5. Delegate all household and family responsibilities for the duration of the program.
The nurse is teaching the family of a child with type 1 diabetes about insulin. What should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a. Unopened vials are good for 60 days. b. Diabetic supplies should not be left in a hot environment. c. Insulin can be placed in the freezer if not used every day. d. After it has been opened, insulin is good for up to 28 to 30 days. e. Insulin bottles that have been opened should be stored at room temperature or refrigerated.
A nurse sending a specimen of a bodily secretion to the laboratory should handle it in which of the following ways to reduce the risk of spreading infection?
1. Place a biohazard alert symbol on the bag containing the specimen. 2. Leave the specimen on the unit until a number of specimens can be transported at once. 3. Use bare hands when obtaining the sample. 4. Let the sample stay in the client's room until the end of the shift.
The nurse is reinforcing teaching with the family of a child with tuberculosis who is being treated with the drug rifampin. Which caregiver statement indicates an understanding of this medication?
A) "My son will have to take this medication the rest of his life." B) "While she is taking this medication I won't worry if her tears look orange." C) "This medication may cause slight bleeding when she urinates." D) "He will not be able to attend school for the first few months that he is on this medication."