The nurse is caring for a 28-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma scheduled to begin treatment with chemotherapy and radiation.
The patient states that she is trying to become pregnant.
What is the nurse's best response?
Reassure the patient that radiation and chemotherapy will not affect their ability to become pregnant.
Discuss fertility counseling and contraception options that are available to the patient.
Refer the patient to the social worker to identify an appropriate pregnancy surrogate.
Notify the provider that treatment should be delayed until the patient becomes pregnant.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Chemotherapy and radiation can significantly affect fertility. It would be incorrect to reassure the patient that these treatments will not impact her ability to become pregnant, as these treatments often reduce fertility or cause temporary or permanent infertility.
Choice B rationale
Discussing fertility counseling and contraception options allows the patient to make informed decisions about her reproductive health. Fertility preservation methods, such as egg or embryo freezing, can be considered before starting treatment. This approach respects the patient's desire to become pregnant while acknowledging the impact of cancer treatment.
Choice C rationale
Referring the patient to a social worker for pregnancy surrogacy is premature and not directly addressing the patient's immediate concerns about fertility and treatment. Fertility counseling is a more appropriate initial step.
Choice D rationale
Delaying treatment for cancer to allow for pregnancy can have severe negative impacts on the patient's prognosis and is not advised. Immediate treatment is crucial to control the disease and improve survival chances.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Routine prophylactic radiation therapy is not recommended for breast cancer survivors as it can lead to additional health issues such as secondary cancers and tissue damage. It is not a standard survivorship care practice.
Choice B rationale
Regular mammography screenings are crucial for early detection of breast cancer recurrence or new primary breast cancers. It is a standard component of survivorship care.
Choice C rationale
Coordinating with hospice care is more relevant for end-of-life care rather than survivorship care. Survivorship care focuses on maintaining health and monitoring for recurrence, not on palliative care planning.
Choice D rationale
Survivorship care is important throughout a patient's life, not just the first five years after remission. Continuous monitoring and health promotion are essential to detect any late effects of cancer treatment and maintain overall health.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
An increase in systolic blood pressure by 25 mmHg indicates a positive response to therapy for Addisonian crisis. Addisonian crisis involves severe hypotension due to low levels of cortisol and aldosterone, which regulate blood pressure. Cortisol replacement therapy helps to increase blood pressure by enhancing the responsiveness of blood vessels to catecholamines and promoting sodium and water retention. This improvement is critical for stabilizing the patient and restoring hemodynamic balance.
Choice B rationale
An increase in serum potassium level from 3.5 to 5.6 mEq/dL suggests hyperkalemia, which is a sign of worsening condition, not improvement. Addisonian crisis is characterized by hyperkalemia due to aldosterone deficiency, which impairs potassium excretion. Effective treatment would normalize potassium levels rather than increase them.
Choice C rationale
Complaints of headache and signs of restlessness may indicate adverse effects or complications, rather than therapeutic efficacy. These symptoms could result from inadequate or excessive dosing of corticosteroids or other underlying issues. Monitoring patient response and adjusting treatment is essential.
Choice D rationale
Normal temperature with pallor to the skin does not indicate effective therapy for Addisonian crisis. Pallor may reflect ongoing hypoperfusion or anemia. The absence of fever is not a definitive marker of therapeutic success. Key indicators include hemodynamic stability and normalized electrolytes.
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