The nurse is reviewing lab results for a client receiving chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer. The nurse notes the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was previously 50 ng/ mL and is now 10 ng/mL (normal range 0-2.5 ng/mL) The nurse is aware this finding indicates the:
treatment plan will need to be changed to achieve the desired effect
cancer treatment is having, the desired effect on killing cancer cells
client is at greater risk for tumor lysis syndrome
cancer has increased size and metastatic sites
The Correct Answer is B
A) Treatment plan will need to be changed to achieve the desired effect:
The decrease in the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels from 50 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL suggests that the cancer is responding to the current treatment, not that the treatment plan needs to be changed. A drop in CEA levels typically indicates a positive response to treatment, such as chemotherapy, in reducing the number or size of cancer cells.
B) Cancer treatment is having the desired effect on killing cancer cells:
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker that is often elevated in individuals with certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. A decrease in CEA levels, as noted in this case (from 50 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL), usually signifies that the treatment is successfully targeting the cancer and reducing the tumor burden. This drop suggests that the chemotherapy is effectively killing cancer cells and reducing the size or activity of the tumor.
C) Client is at greater risk for tumor lysis syndrome:
Tumor lysis syndrome typically occurs when large numbers of cancer cells die rapidly, releasing their intracellular contents into the bloodstream, which can lead to metabolic disturbances like hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and renal failure. It is more common in aggressive hematologic cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, and typically presents with a rapid rise in tumor marker levels, not a decrease.
D) Cancer has increased size and metastatic sites:
An increase in tumor size or the development of metastatic sites would typically result in an increase in CEA levels, not a decrease. Since CEA levels have dropped, it is more likely that the cancer is shrinking or responding to the current treatment. This finding is more indicative of a positive response rather than disease progression.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Clubbing of the fingers
Clubbing of the fingers is typically associated with chronic hypoxia, often due to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congenital heart defects, or chronic respiratory disorders. While mitral valve stenosis can lead to pulmonary congestion and sometimes hypoxia, clubbing is not a hallmark finding of mitral valve stenosis.
B) A heart murmur
Mitral valve stenosis is commonly characterized by a heart murmur. The stenosis (narrowing) of the mitral valve obstructs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, leading to turbulent blood flow. This creates a characteristic diastolic murmur (a low-pitched, rumbling murmur heard best at the apex of the heart with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position).
C) Barrel chest
A barrel chest is more commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other conditions that cause long-term hyperinflation of the lungs. It is not a typical finding in mitral valve stenosis. The shape of the chest may change over time in patients with severe left-sided heart failure, but this is not a primary or direct consequence of mitral valve stenosis.
D) Bradycardia
Bradycardia (a slow heart rate) is not a characteristic finding of mitral valve stenosis. In fact, mitral valve stenosis can lead to increased heart rates due to reduced cardiac output and compensatory mechanisms. As the left atrium becomes increasingly distended from the obstruction, atrial fibrillation (a rapid, irregular heartbeat) is common in mitral valve stenosis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP):
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of pneumonia that develops in patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. It is a common and serious complication in critically ill patients on ventilators. Symptoms such as fever, green sputum, and right lower lobe crackles are indicative of a respiratory infection, which, in this case, is most likely VAP. VAP typically presents with signs of infection such as elevated temperature, purulent sputum, and new infiltrates on a chest x-ray, in addition to lung crackles.
B) Pulmonary embolism (PE):
Although pulmonary embolism (PE) can cause symptoms like tachypnea, chest pain, and dyspnea, it does not typically cause a fever, green sputum, or localized crackles in the lungs. PE is usually characterized by sudden onset of respiratory distress, often accompanied by hemoptysis or chest pain, and would not typically present with the localized findings in the lower lobe (e.g., crackles).
C) Stress ulcer:
Stress ulcers can occur in critically ill patients, especially those on mechanical ventilation, due to the stress response and reduced blood flow to the stomach. However, stress ulcers typically cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as melena (black, tarry stools) or hematemesis (vomiting blood).
D) Pneumothorax:
A pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space, causing a collapse of the lung. It can lead to symptoms such as sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and diminished breath sounds on one side of the chest. However, it would not typically cause fever, green sputum, or localized crackles.
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