Author Question: The nurse observes a suspicious mole on the back of an older adult who is undergoing palliative ... (Read 34 times)

burchfield96 · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

The nurse observes a suspicious mole on the back of an older adult who is undergoing palliative radiotherapy for brain metastasis. The nurse suspects that the mole

a. is a result of the radiation.
b. is a secondary cancer.
c. will not be screened.
d. was the primary cancer.

Question 2

A nurse has identified an older patient as being at high risk of infection. Which assessment data indicate that priority goals for this diagnosis have been met?

a. The patient remains afebrile.
b. The patient's white blood cells (WBCs) are normal.
c. The patient has no subjective complaints.
d. The patient's mental status is unchanged.

robbielu01 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Screening should not be conducted if there is no intent or ability to pursue findings with more complete evaluation and treatment. The goal of screening is to detect early cancer that is amena-ble to treatment; this patient is undergoing palliation, which means he or she is not expected to live but is getting the radiation for symptom control.

Answer to Question 2

D
Older adults, with their diminished immune system, often do not develop classic signs or symp-toms of infection, so a lack of fever and complaints and a normal white count do not eliminate the possibility the patient has an infection. Older adults frequently tend to have mental status changes with infection, so a normal mental status for the patient is a good sign that goals have been met.