Oncology: Nursing Management in Cancer Care
Carcinogen - correct answer An agent that can cause cancer; can be chemicals, viruses, hormones,
ionizing radiation, or solid materials.
1. Alter the DNA of the cell, which will either causes the cell to be repair or die.
2. Tobacco smoke thought to be the single most lethal chemical carcinogen, accounts for at least
30% of cancer deaths in human.
Carcinogenesis - correct answer Process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells
Thrombocytopenia - correct answer A decrease in the number of circulating platelets (count falls
below 100,000) associated with potential bleeding. Often results from bone marrow depression
after certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and with tumor infiltration of the bone
marrow.
a. Normal platelet count is 150,000-400,000
b. At high risk for bleeding when platelet counts fall below 20,000.
Nursing Interventions:
a. The nurse must report any plt counts less than 50,000 to the primary care provider and prevent
risk for bleeding.
b. Assess for potential for bleeding: monitor platelet count.
Metastasis - correct answer 1. Spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites
2. Stage IV
3. Malignant Cancer Cells: demonstrate uncontrolled growth that does not follow physiologic
demand.
4. The cell membrane of the cancer cells contain a protein known as tumor- specific antigen (CEA-
carcinoembryonic antigen and prostate specific antigen (PSA) which develop overtime.
4. The nuclei of cancer cells are large and irregular.
5. Definate test for cancer is Biopsy
Description of Staging Tumors - correct answer Staging
• Tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) staging system for cancer is used to indicate tumor size, spread
to lymph nodes, and extent of metastasis.
Stage 0: Cancer in situ
Stage I: Tumor limited to the tissue origin Stage II: Limited local spread; includes spread to the
nearest lymph nodes; localized tumor that invades past the basement membrane, below the surface
epithelium of the organ into the parenchyma or stroma.
Stage III: Extensive local and regional; usually indicates more extensive lymph node involvement
Stage IV: Metastasis; distant spread
Description of Grading Tumors - correct answer GX: Grade cannot be assessed
G1: Well differentiated (less malignant)
