The nurse is assessing a patient who appears fatigued and pale and says that he has lost 15 pounds over the last month. It is most important for the nurse to conduct additional assessment for which condition?

Question

1. Depression
2. Malignancy
3. Oral cavity infection
4. Respiratory infection resulting in sensory losses

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Depression could result in fatigue and weight loss, but losing 15 pounds in one month is extreme. Pallor is less likely to be associated with depression.
Rationale 2: Fatigue, pallor, and a 15-pound unintentional weight loss over the last month comprise serious information. The patient should be further assessed for the presence of a malignancy.
Rationale 3: A patient with an oral infection may not eat normally, but a 15-pound weight loss in one month is extreme. An oral infection would also not explain the patient's pallor.
Rationale 4: Sensory losses might result in an impaired sense of taste, but that is unlikely to lead to a 15-pound weight loss in one month. Sensory losses would also not explain the patient's pallor or fatigue.