NUR 426 Final Exam Study Guide: Lung Cancer, Oncology
Pathophysiology & Clinical Manifestations|Complete
Questions with Verified A+ Graded Rationales
What is the average age of diagnosis for a patient with lung cancer?
71 (65-84 y/o)
Etiology and risk factors for lung cancer:
- tobacco and cigarette smoking (causes 85-90% of cases; longer period of smoking = higher
risk )
- passive smoke or secondhand smoke (SHS)
- thirdhand smoking can be issues among babies
- radon exposure: found in poorly ventilated basements, underground dwellings, and
underground mines
- pesticides, air pollution, asbestos, genetics, dietary deficits, history of chemotherapy with
alkylating agents or radiation treatment, and COPD/TB
- cannabis consumption: 1 joint = 20-30 cigarettes
- vaping
How is the risk for lung cancer determined?
it is determined by pack-year history (packs per day x years smoked)
True or false: the risk of lung cancer decreases with the number of years quit
True
How is lung cancer classified?
grouped into 2 categories
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 84%
- small cell lung cancer (SCLC): 13%
What are the subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?
- adenocarcinoma (41%)
- squamous cell carcinoma (20%)
- large cell carcinoma (5%)
- other (18%)
Stages of NSCLC:
,- Stage I: limited lungs and not spread to lymph nodes
- Stage II: lung and nearby lymph nodes
- Stage III: lung and lymph nodes in middle of chest
- IIIA: only to lymph nodes on same side of chest where cancer started
- IIIB: spreads to lymph nodes on opposite side of chest, or above the collar bone
- Stage IV: spread to both lungs, to fluid in the area around lungs, or to another part of the body
What are the most common areas where lung cancer metastasizes?
- bone/skeleton (35%)
- brain (30%)
- adrenal (20-40%)
- liver (25%)
Pathophysiology of lung cancer:
1. chronic and constant epithelial exposure to cigarette smoke or other irritants can cause
carcinogens to bind and damage cell DNA
2. damaged cell DNA can cause decreased repair ability and abnormal cell growth, which causes
malignant cells
3. damages DNA passes on to daughter cells
Where does lung cancer originate?
lung parenchyma
How does lung cancer spread?
lymphatic channels in chest and direct extension
Clinical manifestations of lung cancer:
- often asymptomatic until late in course
- cough: most common (dry, persistent, change in chronic cough)
- hemoptysis
- clubbing
- chest or shoulder pain
- dyspnea or hypoxemia
- recurring respiratory tract infections
- hoarseness
Clinical manifestations of lung cancer based upon metastases site (brain, liver, bone, adrenal
glands):
, - fatigue
- anorexia/weight loss
- pain
- headaches
- seizures
A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.
Which site id the most common for lung cancer metastasis?
skeleton
2 multiple choice options
Clinical complications of lung cancer:
- Phrenic Nerve Paralysis
- Upper Extremity Paresthesia
- Horner's syndrome (face/eyelid; can cause eye droop)
- PE
- Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome (causes swelling)
What test is used to screen patients for lung cancer initially?
low dose CT scan
What diagnostic studies are used to evaluate lung cancer if a nodule has shown on previous
tests?
- CT scan (lungs and metastasis sites)
- x-ray (initial)
- PET scans
- pathology: provides tissues dx and tumor type
Who should get screened for lung cancer according to the CDC?
- patients between 55 and 80 years old
- current smokers or have quit in past 15 years
- >/=30 pack year smoking history
If a patient were to have a nodule on their lungs, what should we recommend?
- follow up scan in 3-6 months
- further testing such as a PET scan
- referral to lung specialist for possible biopsy
What diagnostic test are performed if lung cancer is suspected?
Pathophysiology & Clinical Manifestations|Complete
Questions with Verified A+ Graded Rationales
What is the average age of diagnosis for a patient with lung cancer?
71 (65-84 y/o)
Etiology and risk factors for lung cancer:
- tobacco and cigarette smoking (causes 85-90% of cases; longer period of smoking = higher
risk )
- passive smoke or secondhand smoke (SHS)
- thirdhand smoking can be issues among babies
- radon exposure: found in poorly ventilated basements, underground dwellings, and
underground mines
- pesticides, air pollution, asbestos, genetics, dietary deficits, history of chemotherapy with
alkylating agents or radiation treatment, and COPD/TB
- cannabis consumption: 1 joint = 20-30 cigarettes
- vaping
How is the risk for lung cancer determined?
it is determined by pack-year history (packs per day x years smoked)
True or false: the risk of lung cancer decreases with the number of years quit
True
How is lung cancer classified?
grouped into 2 categories
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 84%
- small cell lung cancer (SCLC): 13%
What are the subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?
- adenocarcinoma (41%)
- squamous cell carcinoma (20%)
- large cell carcinoma (5%)
- other (18%)
Stages of NSCLC:
,- Stage I: limited lungs and not spread to lymph nodes
- Stage II: lung and nearby lymph nodes
- Stage III: lung and lymph nodes in middle of chest
- IIIA: only to lymph nodes on same side of chest where cancer started
- IIIB: spreads to lymph nodes on opposite side of chest, or above the collar bone
- Stage IV: spread to both lungs, to fluid in the area around lungs, or to another part of the body
What are the most common areas where lung cancer metastasizes?
- bone/skeleton (35%)
- brain (30%)
- adrenal (20-40%)
- liver (25%)
Pathophysiology of lung cancer:
1. chronic and constant epithelial exposure to cigarette smoke or other irritants can cause
carcinogens to bind and damage cell DNA
2. damaged cell DNA can cause decreased repair ability and abnormal cell growth, which causes
malignant cells
3. damages DNA passes on to daughter cells
Where does lung cancer originate?
lung parenchyma
How does lung cancer spread?
lymphatic channels in chest and direct extension
Clinical manifestations of lung cancer:
- often asymptomatic until late in course
- cough: most common (dry, persistent, change in chronic cough)
- hemoptysis
- clubbing
- chest or shoulder pain
- dyspnea or hypoxemia
- recurring respiratory tract infections
- hoarseness
Clinical manifestations of lung cancer based upon metastases site (brain, liver, bone, adrenal
glands):
, - fatigue
- anorexia/weight loss
- pain
- headaches
- seizures
A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.
Which site id the most common for lung cancer metastasis?
skeleton
2 multiple choice options
Clinical complications of lung cancer:
- Phrenic Nerve Paralysis
- Upper Extremity Paresthesia
- Horner's syndrome (face/eyelid; can cause eye droop)
- PE
- Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Syndrome (causes swelling)
What test is used to screen patients for lung cancer initially?
low dose CT scan
What diagnostic studies are used to evaluate lung cancer if a nodule has shown on previous
tests?
- CT scan (lungs and metastasis sites)
- x-ray (initial)
- PET scans
- pathology: provides tissues dx and tumor type
Who should get screened for lung cancer according to the CDC?
- patients between 55 and 80 years old
- current smokers or have quit in past 15 years
- >/=30 pack year smoking history
If a patient were to have a nodule on their lungs, what should we recommend?
- follow up scan in 3-6 months
- further testing such as a PET scan
- referral to lung specialist for possible biopsy
What diagnostic test are performed if lung cancer is suspected?
