A patient with lung cancer who is scheduled to begin a course of radiation therapy asks the nurse, "How will they know if I'm cured?" The nurse's best response is based on which understanding of the disease process?
a. Lung cancer is never a curable disease; prolonged life is the goal.
b. Eighty percent of lung cancers are curable with radiation therapy.
c. Radiation in lung cancer is most often used to increase comfort, not cure disease.
d. Radiation therapy reduces inflammation; chemotherapy is used to shrink the tumor.
ANS: C
Radiation may be used to shrink a tumor to reduce symptoms in patients who are unable to undergo surgery. D. It generally is not curative, and it will not reduce inflammation. A. B. Lung cancer is curable in some cases but not usually with radiation alone.
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A patient has undergone liver transplantation. The provider orders cyclosporine [Sandimmune], prednisone, and sirolimus [Rapamune]. What will the nurse do?
a. Question the order for sirolimus. b. Request an order for a serum glucose lev-el. c. Request an order for a macrolide antibiot-ic. d. Suggest changing the cyclosporine to ta-crolimus.
The nurse is providing follow-up education to a patient just diagnosed with vaginal herpes. What statement by the patient verifies correct knowledge about vaginal herpes?
1. "I should douche daily to prevent infection." 2. "I could have another breakout during my period." 3. "I am more likely to develop cancer of the cervix." 4. "I should use sodium bicarbonate on the lesions to relieve discomfort."
The nurse is aware that long bones in children continue to grow until puberty when:
a. Cartilage is ossified b. Connective tissue is diminished c. Epiphyseal fusion occurs d. Bone is no longer synthesized
A patient who was recently prescribed an adrenergic drug says, "I am so nervous and I cannot sleep." The nurse would ask which questions? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Standard Text: Select all that apply
1. "How much coffee do you drink?" 2. "Have you recently increased your intake of dairy products?" 3. "Do you eat chocolate?" 4. "When was the last time you ate pickled foods or aged cheese?" 5. "How much wine or other alcoholic beverages do you drink?"