Recognize cues
80% of patients with bladder cancer present with these symptoms first.
What is hematuria and clots in urine?
A patient with Leukemia has recently received chemotherapy and now presents with a Cr level >1.5, the upper limit. The nurse is concerned that the patient has developed this medical emergency.
What is Tumor Lysis?
The nurse has to decide who to help first: a patient with a urostomy who hasn't had a bag change in one week or a patient with a nephrostomy who hasn't had a bag changed in 2 weeks. The nurse decides to help the patient first.
Who is the patient with a urostomy who hasn't had a bag change in 1 week?
A patient is advised to maintain this kind of diet after having a nephrectomy.
What is a low-protein diet?
A patient who just had a urostomy 3 days ago presents with a rigid board-like abdomen. The nurse knows this could be a sign of this.
What is peritonitis?
An increased sedimentation rate alerts the nurse to this issue in the kidney.
What is inflammation?
A family member who was recently sick visits the oncology unit, the nurse will educate the patient and family member about this.
What is identifying and reporting s/sx of infection?
A patient who had a partial cystectomy is excited to spend time playing with his grandkids; the nurse would ensure he understands the provider's orders about this.
What is no heavy lifting?
A patient who has spinal cord progression requires this frequently due to the risk of rapid deterioration.
What are frequent neuro assessments?
A patient presents with Hypercalcemia related to metastatic bone cancer. After administering fluids, the nurse knows this medication may be ordered.
What is a bisphosphonate?
The nurse finds the patient in superior vena cava syndrome lying down, while the lab tech gets supplies to draw a CMP. The nurse knows the first thing she should do is...
What is facilitating breathing by sitting up in semi-fowlers/high-fowlers?
After a radical cystectomy, the patient will need to learn this kind of care.
What is Ostomy care?
A patient presents with flank pain, decreased urine output, elevated Ca, and swollen lymph nodes. The nurse could anticipate that the patient has this condition.
What is Kidney cancer?
A patient in the oncology unit is presenting with a fever of 100.4 and a neutrophil count of less than 1500. The nurse is concerned about this emergency.
What is a neutropenic fever?
The provider has ordered blood and urine cultures STAT, along with broad-spectrum antibiotics to be administered stat. The nurse prioritizes this task.
What are blood cultures?
The nurse knows tumor lysis is an emergency due to the effects on these two organ systems.
What is Hyperkalemia, Hypocalcemia (cardiac), Hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia (kidney),
The nurse should monitor kidney function after a nephrectomy by looking at these labs.
What are BUN and Creatine?
The nurse is delivering care to a patient under neutropenic precautions and knows she must wear the proper PPE, which includes...
What are a gown, gloves, and a mask?
A Patient on the oncology unit presents with JVD and engorged veins on his temple and chest. The nurse recognizes this as an oncologic emergency called...
What is superior vena cava syndrome?
A patient with a nephrostomy has a tube exiting their back, the nurse knows the bag should be changed this often.
What is every 2-4 weeks?
After treatment of tumor lysis, the nurse reviews these 3 labs to evaluate the treatment's effectiveness.
What are Potassium, Phosphorus, and Uric Acid?