Cancer

Question 1

True or False? Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells

Answer 1

True- growth of cells is uncontrolled

Question 2

When the cancer cell travels from the original location to a new place, what is it called?

Answer 2

Metastasis

Question 3

What acronym is used to describe the warning signs of cancer?

Answer 3

C.A.U.T.I.O.N.

Question 4

What do the letters stand for?

Answer 4

C-hange in bowel or bladder
A-ny sore that does not heal
U-nusual bleedings/ discharge
T-hickening in breast 
I-ndigestion
O-bvious change in wart
N-agging cough or hoarseness

Question 5

What are the two ways to describe a tumor?

Answer 5

By grading or staging

Question 6

What is the difference between the two?

Answer 6

Grading describes a tumor by the cells. Staging describes the progression of a tumor by the clinical symptom.

Question 7

What are the three types of radiation treatment?

Answer 7

External unsealed; internal sealed; and internal

Question 8

What precautions must be taken for a client receiving radiation treatment?

Answer 8

Private room/ bathroom

Limit visitors, rotate nursing staff who provide care, place sign at door and bedside

Question 9

What is the most dangerous type of radiation?

Answer 9

Sealed internal radiation because a solid radioactive implant is placed inside the tumor

Question 10

What additional precautions must be taken for clients receiving sealed internal radiation?

Answer 10

All body fluids are radioactive; use hazardous clean up, gloves/ gown.

Question 11

If a client’s sealed internal implant falls out. (e.g., cervical implant), what should you do?

Answer 11

Pick it up with a long- handle forceps and put it in a lead container.

Question 12

Chemotherapy works by destroying the cell___

Answer 12

wall

Question 13

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Answer 13

Nausea, anorexia, alopecia sterility, decreased bone marrow and platelets

Question 14

Why is Reglan (metoclopramide) given?

Answer 14

To reduce nausea

Question 15

Is alopecia from chemotherapy permanent?

Answer 15

No it is temporary

Question 16

Is sterility from chemotherapy permanent

Answer 16

Yes

Question 17

Clients with cancer will also need ___ _____

Answer 17

Neutropenic Precautions

Question 18

What are neutropenic precautions?

Answer 18

Strict hand washing
No visitors who are sick
No children
No raw food , no live plants 
NO free-standing water

Question 19

What is Neupogen (filgrastim)?

Answer 19

Drug used to treat neutropenia; Monitors WBC’s

Question 20

When is the best time to do a breast self-exam?

Answer 20

One week after menstruation

Question 21

When is the best time to do a self-testicular exam?

Answer 21

The same day each month

Question 22

If a client has had mastectomy, can you take a blood pressure on the affected side?

Answer 22

No IV or BP

Question 23

List some other post-mastectomy patient education tips.

Answer 23

Elevate affected extremity, no initial exercise after surgery, encourage discussion for positive self-image