LUNG CANCER NCLEX QUESTIONS

A patient with a diagnosis of lung cancer is receiving chemotherapy and reports nausea and loss of appetite resulting in decreased food intake. What should the healthcare provider recommend to promote adequate nutrition? Advise the patient to:

• Eat only favourite foods to increase appetite.

• Eat small meals throughout the day.

• Eat large meals but less frequently throughout the day.

• Eat only when feeling hungry.

A patient who recently stopped smoking asks a healthcare provider about the risks of developing lung cancer. The healthcare provider’s best response is:

• “If lung cancer hasn’t developed yet, the ongoing risk is equivalent to a non-smoker.”

• “In 8 months, the risk of developing lung cancer is twice as high as a non-smoker.”

• “In 15 years, the risk of developing lung cancer will be equivalent to a non-smoker.”

• “An elevated risk of developing lung cancer compared to a non-smoker will remain constant life-long.”

While undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer, the patient develops dry, itchy, and flakey skin. The healthcare provider will recommend the patient to:

• Increase time between treatments to reduce exposure to radiation.

• Cleanse area with lukewarm water to avoid tissue damage.

• Use an exfoliator to remove dead cells to decrease irritation to the area.

• Apply ice to reduce inflammation to irritated area.

A patient with a diagnosis of small cell carcinoma in the right lung exhibits shortness of breath, facial and periorbital edema, and jugular vein distension. Which action should the healthcare provider do first?

• Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG).

• Take a full set of vital signs.

• Administer oxygen.

• Increase the IV flow rate.

The healthcare provider is caring for a postoperative patient who has undergone a lobectomy. The plan of care will include positioning the patient:

• Laying on the non-operative side.

• Supine in a high Fowler’s position.

• Supine with the head of the bed flat.

• Laying in Sims position.

A patient recovering from a lobectomy has a chest tube attached to a water-seal drainage system. The healthcare provider notices the fluid in the water-seal column has stopped fluctuating. Which of the following would explain why the fluctuations have stopped?

• The lung has collapsed.

• Positive intrapleural pressure has increased.

• There may be fibrin clots in the tubing.

• There is leak in the drainage system.

• The lung had fully expanded.

The healthcare provider is assessing a patient with a diagnosis of lung cancer after a left lobectomy. Which of the following assessments is an early indication the patient has developed atelectasis?

• Central cyanosis

• Inspiratory wheezing bilaterally

• Intercostal retractions

• Decreased breath sounds in the right lung

• Low grade fever

The nurse is taking the social history of a client diagnosed with SCLC. Which information is significant for this disease?

• Worked in a factory for a short time many years ago.

• Has a family Hx of this type of lung cancer.

• Has numerous tattoos on upper and lower arms.

• Has smoked 2 packs of cigarettes/day for 20 years.

• Stopped smoking for a 9 months after a Hx of smoking.

The nurse writes a problem of 'impaired gas exchange' for a client diagnosed with cancer of the lung. Which interventions should be included for the plan of care?

• Apply oxygen via nasal cannula.

• Place the client in respiratory isolation.

• Have the dietitian plan for 6 small meals per day.

• Assess vital signs for fever.

• Listen to lung sounds q shift.

The client is 4 hours post-lobectomy for lung cancer. Which assessment data warrant immediate intervention by the nurse?

• Intake of 1500 mL IV and output of 1000 mL.

• 550 mL of bright red drainage in the chest tube.

• Complaining of pain at a 5 on a 1-10 scale.

• Absent lung sound on the side of surgery.