Author Question: A patient diagnosed with cancer and scheduled to begin biotherapy asks the nurse how the therapy ... (Read 38 times)

Kikoku · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient diagnosed with cancer and scheduled to begin biotherapy asks the nurse how the therapy will treat the cancer. How should the nurse respond to this patient?

1. It changes the body processes that caused the cancer by enhancing your own immunity.
2. It uses radiation implanted into the organ with the cancer.
3. It uses laser therapy to remove the cancer.
4. It uses stem cells to treat the cancer.

Question 2

A patient with a history of squamous cell lung cancer is admitted to the hospital with arm and periorbital edema. After a few hours, the patient exhibits dyspnea, cyanosis, tachypnea, and an altered level of consciousness.

Which action should the nurse take first?

1. Administer oxygen.
2. Call the physician.
3. Monitor vital signs.
4. Initiate seizure precautions.

matt · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Biotherapy modifies the biologic processes that result in malignant cells, primarily through enhancing the person's own immune responses. This is with what the nurse should explain to the patient. Brachytherapy is the implantation of radiation into the organ with the cancer. Photodynamic therapy uses medication that is activated by a laser to treat the cancer. Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is used to stimulate or replace nonfunctioning bone marrow. It does not treat cancer.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

The superior vena cava can be compressed by mediastinal tumors or adjacent thoracic tumors. The most common cause is small-cell or squamous-cell lung cancers. Signs and symptoms can develop slowly, and include facial, periorbital, and arm edema as early signs. As the problem progresses, respiratory distress, dyspnea, cyanosis, tachypnea, and altered consciousness and neurologic deficits can occur. Emergency measures include the following: provide respiratory support with oxygen, and prepare for a tracheostomy; monitor vital signs; administer corticosteroids to reduce edema; if the disorder is due to a clot, administer antifibrinolytic or anticoagulant drugs; provide a safe environment, including seizure precautions. The nurse should provide oxygen before contacting the physician or monitoring vital signs. Seizure precautions would not be initiated first.