ATI Oncology Questions

Questions 49

ATI RN

ATI RN Test Bank

ATI Oncology Questions Questions

Question 1 of 5

The nurse is caring for a patient with an advanced stage of breast cancer and the patient has recently learned that her cancer has metastasized. The nurse enters the room and finds the patient struggling to breathe and the nurse�€™s rapid assessment reveals that the patient�€™s jugular veins are distended. The nurse should suspect the development of what oncologic emergency?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when the superior vena cava, the large vein responsible for returning blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes obstructed or compressed, often due to a tumor, such as metastasized breast cancer. SVCS results in impaired venous drainage, leading to symptoms like distended jugular veins, facial swelling, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and upper body edema. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt intervention to restore blood flow and alleviate symptoms.

Question 2 of 5

The nurse is assessing the colostomy of a client who has had an abdominal perineal resection for a bowel tumor. Which assessment finding indicates that the colostomy is beginning to function?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The passage of flatus (gas) from the colostomy is an early sign that the bowel is beginning to function after surgery. This indicates that peristalsis, or the movement of the intestines, has resumed and that the digestive system is actively moving gas and eventually stool through the bowel and out of the colostomy. It's a positive sign that the bowel is recovering from the surgery and starting to work as intended.

Question 3 of 5

The community health nurse is instructing a group of young female clients about breast self-examination. The nurse should instruct the clients to perform the examination at which time?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The optimal time for performing a breast self-examination (BSE) is about one week after menstruation begins, as this is when the breasts are least likely to be swollen, tender, or affected by hormonal changes. Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause temporary changes in breast tissue, such as swelling, lumpiness, or tenderness, which may make it more difficult to detect any unusual lumps or changes. Conducting the examination during this period ensures that the breasts are in their natural state, making it easier to notice any abnormalities.

Question 4 of 5

The nurse is caring for a patient with an advanced stage of breast cancer and the patient has recently learned that her cancer has metastasized. The nurse enters the room and finds the patient struggling to breathe and the nurse�€™s rapid assessment reveals that the patient�€™s jugular veins are distended. The nurse should suspect the development of what oncologic emergency?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) occurs when the superior vena cava, the large vein responsible for returning blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes obstructed or compressed, often due to a tumor, such as metastasized breast cancer. SVCS results in impaired venous drainage, leading to symptoms like distended jugular veins, facial swelling, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and upper body edema. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt intervention to restore blood flow and alleviate symptoms.

Question 5 of 5

A nurse is caring for a client admitted for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chemotherapy. The client reports nausea, flank pain, and muscle cramps. What action by the nurse is most important?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The client's symptoms of nausea, flank pain, and muscle cramps are suggestive of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), a potentially life-threatening complication of chemotherapy in which cancer cells break down rapidly, releasing large amounts of intracellular components into the bloodstream. This leads to imbalances in electrolytes (elevated potassium, phosphate, and uric acid levels, with low calcium levels), which can cause severe metabolic disturbances, including kidney damage, arrhythmias, and muscle cramps. Checking serum electrolytes and uric acid levels is crucial for diagnosing and managing TLS early, preventing further complications.

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