1
Ch 16 Cancer practice questions exam 1
Questions and Verified Answers Updated
2025-2026 Edition Graded A
A 33-year-old patient has recently been diagnosed with stage II cervical
cancer. What should the nurse understand about the patient's cancer?
A. It is in situ.
B. It has metastasized.
C. It has spread locally.
D. It has spread extensively. - ANSC. It has spread locally.
Stage II cancer is associated with limited local spread. Stage 0 denotes
cancer in situ; stage I denotes tumor limited to the tissue of origin with
localized tumor growth. Stage III denotes extensive local and regional
spread. Stage IV denotes metastasis.
A 64-year-old male patient who is receiving radiation to the head and neck
as treatment for an invasive malignant tumor complains of mouth sores and
pain. Which intervention should the nurse add to this patient's plan of care?
A. Weigh the patient every month to monitor for weight loss.
B. Cleanse the mouth every 2 to 4 hours with hydrogen peroxide.
C. Provide high-protein and high-calorie, soft foods every 2 hours.
D. Apply palifermin (Kepivance) liberally to the affected oral mucosa. -
ANSC. Provide high-protein and high-calorie, soft foods every 2 hours.
A patient with stomatitis should have soft, nonirritating foods offered
frequently. The diet should be high in protein and high in calories. Saline or
1
, 2
water should be used to cleanse the mouth (not hydrogen peroxide).
Palifermin is administered intravenously as a growth factor to stimulate
cells on the surface layer of the mouth to grow. Patients should be weighed
at least twice each week to monitor for weight loss.
A 70-year-old man who has end-stage lung cancer is admitted to the
hospital with confusion and oliguria for 2 days. Which finding would the
nurse report immediately to the health care provider?
A. Weight gain of 2 lb
B. Urine specific gravity of 1.015
C. Blood urea nitrogen of 20 mg/dL
D. Serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L - ANSD. Serum sodium level of 118
mEq/L
Lung cancer cells are able to manufacture and release antidiuretic
hormone (ADH) with resultant water retention and hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia (serum sodium levels less than 135 mEq/L) may lead to
central nervous system symptoms such as confusion, seizures, coma, and
death. A weight gain may be due to fluid retention. The urine specific
gravity and blood urea nitrogen are normal.
A patient has been diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma. In the initiation
stage of cancer, the cells genetic structure is mutated. Exposure to what
may have functioned as a carcinogen for this patient?
A. Bacteria
B. Sun exposure
C. Most chemicals
2
, 3
D. Epstein-Barr virus - ANSD. Epstein-Barr virus
Burkitt's lymphoma consistently shows evidence of the presence of
Epstein-Barr virus in vitro. Bacteria do not initiate cancer. Sun exposure
causes cell alterations leading to melanoma and squamous and basal cell
skin carcinoma. Long-term exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., ethylene
oxide, chloroform, benzene) is known to initiate cancer.
Previous administrations of chemotherapy agents to a cancer patient have
resulted in diarrhea. Which dietary modification should the nurse
recommend?
A. A bland, low-fiber diet
B. A high-protein, high-calorie diet
C. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables
D. A diet emphasizing whole and organic foods - ANSA. A bland, low-fiber
diet
Patients experiencing diarrhea secondary to chemotherapy and/or radiation
therapy often benefit from a diet low in seasonings and roughage before
the treatment. Foods should be easy to digest and low in fat. Fresh fruits
and vegetables are high in fiber and should be minimized during treatment.
Whole and organic foods do not prevent diarrhea.
The female patient is having whole brain radiation for brain metastasis. She
is concerned about how she will look when she loses her hair. What is the
best response by the nurse to this patient?
A. "When your hair grows back it will be patchy."
3
Ch 16 Cancer practice questions exam 1
Questions and Verified Answers Updated
2025-2026 Edition Graded A
A 33-year-old patient has recently been diagnosed with stage II cervical
cancer. What should the nurse understand about the patient's cancer?
A. It is in situ.
B. It has metastasized.
C. It has spread locally.
D. It has spread extensively. - ANSC. It has spread locally.
Stage II cancer is associated with limited local spread. Stage 0 denotes
cancer in situ; stage I denotes tumor limited to the tissue of origin with
localized tumor growth. Stage III denotes extensive local and regional
spread. Stage IV denotes metastasis.
A 64-year-old male patient who is receiving radiation to the head and neck
as treatment for an invasive malignant tumor complains of mouth sores and
pain. Which intervention should the nurse add to this patient's plan of care?
A. Weigh the patient every month to monitor for weight loss.
B. Cleanse the mouth every 2 to 4 hours with hydrogen peroxide.
C. Provide high-protein and high-calorie, soft foods every 2 hours.
D. Apply palifermin (Kepivance) liberally to the affected oral mucosa. -
ANSC. Provide high-protein and high-calorie, soft foods every 2 hours.
A patient with stomatitis should have soft, nonirritating foods offered
frequently. The diet should be high in protein and high in calories. Saline or
1
, 2
water should be used to cleanse the mouth (not hydrogen peroxide).
Palifermin is administered intravenously as a growth factor to stimulate
cells on the surface layer of the mouth to grow. Patients should be weighed
at least twice each week to monitor for weight loss.
A 70-year-old man who has end-stage lung cancer is admitted to the
hospital with confusion and oliguria for 2 days. Which finding would the
nurse report immediately to the health care provider?
A. Weight gain of 2 lb
B. Urine specific gravity of 1.015
C. Blood urea nitrogen of 20 mg/dL
D. Serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L - ANSD. Serum sodium level of 118
mEq/L
Lung cancer cells are able to manufacture and release antidiuretic
hormone (ADH) with resultant water retention and hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia (serum sodium levels less than 135 mEq/L) may lead to
central nervous system symptoms such as confusion, seizures, coma, and
death. A weight gain may be due to fluid retention. The urine specific
gravity and blood urea nitrogen are normal.
A patient has been diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma. In the initiation
stage of cancer, the cells genetic structure is mutated. Exposure to what
may have functioned as a carcinogen for this patient?
A. Bacteria
B. Sun exposure
C. Most chemicals
2
, 3
D. Epstein-Barr virus - ANSD. Epstein-Barr virus
Burkitt's lymphoma consistently shows evidence of the presence of
Epstein-Barr virus in vitro. Bacteria do not initiate cancer. Sun exposure
causes cell alterations leading to melanoma and squamous and basal cell
skin carcinoma. Long-term exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., ethylene
oxide, chloroform, benzene) is known to initiate cancer.
Previous administrations of chemotherapy agents to a cancer patient have
resulted in diarrhea. Which dietary modification should the nurse
recommend?
A. A bland, low-fiber diet
B. A high-protein, high-calorie diet
C. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables
D. A diet emphasizing whole and organic foods - ANSA. A bland, low-fiber
diet
Patients experiencing diarrhea secondary to chemotherapy and/or radiation
therapy often benefit from a diet low in seasonings and roughage before
the treatment. Foods should be easy to digest and low in fat. Fresh fruits
and vegetables are high in fiber and should be minimized during treatment.
Whole and organic foods do not prevent diarrhea.
The female patient is having whole brain radiation for brain metastasis. She
is concerned about how she will look when she loses her hair. What is the
best response by the nurse to this patient?
A. "When your hair grows back it will be patchy."
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