The nurse is caring for multiple patients. After reviewing the patients' histories, the nurse determines that which patient possesses the highest risk of throat cancer?

Question

a. A male patient who drinks four cups of coffee per day
b. A female patient who smokes a pack of cigarettes weekly
c. A female patient who drinks three carbo-nated drinks per day
d. A male patient who drinks four vodka tonics per day

Answer 1

D
The combination of alcohol and cigarettes increases the risk for throat cancer. However, males are four times more likely to develop throat cancer than women, and the male patient consuming vodka drinks is consuming significantly more alcohol than the female patient who smokes ciga-rettes. Coffee and carbonated drink consumption has not been found to increase the risk of throat cancer.