Cancer Basics
what is the process by which cancer spreads to other parts of the body?
what is metastasis
The diagnostic test that confirms a cancer diagnosis
What is a biopsy?
Nausea, vomiting, and hair loss are common side effects of this treatment
What is chemotherapy?
The nurse should encourage this breathing method after surgery to prevent atelectasis
What is incentive spirometer use?
After surgery, patients should report fever greater than what temperature?
What is 100.4°F (38°C)?
These cells lack contact inhibition and grow uncontrollably
What are malignant cells?
At what age should women begin routine cervical cancer screening (Pap test)?
What is age 21?
A serious complication that causes facial swelling and respiratory distress in certain cancers
What is superior vena cava syndrome?
For a neutropenic patient, the nurse must avoid this
What is fresh flowers/fruit, sick visitors?
Patients receiving chemo should avoid this type of vaccine
What are live vaccines?
This system classifies tumors by how abnormal the cells look under a microscope
What is grading?
This imaging test uses radioactive glucose to detect metastasis
What is a PET scan?
Painful redness and peeling on hands/feet from chemo
What is hand-foot syndrome?
The priority intervention for extravasation of chemotherapy
What is STOP the infusion?
A patient on radiation may experience fatigue. The nurse should encourage what?
What is energy conservation and rest periods?
Name the stage where a tumor is large but remains localized
What is Stage II or III depending on size?
Men should discuss prostate screening at this age if average risk
What is age 50?
Decreased WBCs after chemo increases this risk
What is infection / neutropenia?
To reduce risk of lymphedema, avoid doing this on the affected limb
What is taking BP, blood draws, or injections?
What type of diet helps with healing after cancer surgery?
What is high-protein?
The hallmark characteristic that allows cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues
What is loss of cellular adhesion / invasion ability?
A tumor marker used to monitor treatment effectiveness in colon cancer
What is CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)?
Removal of lymph nodes may cause this chronic swelling
What is lymphedema?
Before radiation, the nurse must instruct the patient not to remove these skin markings
What are radiation alignment markings?
Patients on immunotherapy should report this serious side effect immediately
What is new onset shortness of breath (immune-related pneumonitis)?