Which side effect of radiation therapy will the nurse anticipate in a patient who has laryngeal cancer?
Blistering burns
Diarrhea
Dry mouth
Nausea
The Correct Answer is C
A. Blistering burns are not a typical side effect of radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer. Radiation burns can occur on the skin, but they are more likely to cause irritation and redness rather than blistering burns, especially in the case of internal radiation targeting the larynx.
B. Diarrhea is a common side effect of radiation therapy when the abdominal or pelvic areas are treated, but it is not typically associated with radiation therapy to the larynx.
C. Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a common side effect of radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer, as the salivary glands may be affected by the radiation. This results in reduced saliva production, leading to a dry mouth.
D. Nausea is not a typical side effect of radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer specifically, though it may occur if other areas (such as the stomach) are being treated. Nausea is more commonly associated with chemotherapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Visual deterioration is not typically associated with nasal drainage following a hypophysectomy unless the optic nerves or structures are affected during surgery.
B. Diabetes is not related to the glucose content in the nasal drainage; it's unrelated to this situation.
C. The presence of glucose in the drainage indicates a possible cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, as CSF contains glucose. A CSF leak increases the risk of meningitis due to the direct connection to the central nervous system.
D. Hypoglycemia is not associated with the glucose content of drainage fluid. This is more relevant to blood glucose levels.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The head of the bed should be elevated to at least 30-45 degrees to help prevent aspiration and reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Flat positioning increases the risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia.
B. Humidification is important for preventing drying of the respiratory passages but does not directly reduce the risk of VAP.
C. Turning the client every 2 hours (not just 4) is a key practice to prevent VAP by improving lung expansion, promoting drainage, and reducing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
D. Oral care, including brushing the teeth, should be done more frequently than every 12 hours. The current guidelines recommend brushing the client's teeth every 4-6 hours and using suctioning as needed to prevent oral bacterial buildup that can lead to VAP.
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