Cancer Priorities
A chemo patient with WBC 1.0 develops fever — priority action
Start neutropenic protocol + IV antibiotics
Priority lab to monitor
CBC
Why patients have infections despite high WBC
WBCs are immature/nonfunctional
Low MCV + low ferritin
Iron deficiency anemia
Priority treatment
Oxygen + IV fluids
Patient with facial swelling and JVD — likely condition
SVC syndrome
Intervention for mucositis
Oral care
Cause of fatigue in leukemia
Anemia
High MCV + numbness/tingling
B12 deficiency
Main symptom during crisis
Severe pain
Patient post-chemo with confusion and high calcium
Hypercalcemia
Why chemo causes hair loss
Targets rapidly dividing cells
Reason for bleeding in leukemia
Thrombocytopenia
High MCV + alcohol use, no neuro symptoms
Folate deficiency
Trigger for crisis
Dehydration / infection / stress
Sudden weakness + back pain in cancer patient
Spinal cord compression
Safety teaching for radiation
External radiation = NOT radioactive
Diagnostic test confirming leukemia
Bone marrow biopsy
Normal MCV + chronic illness
Anemia of chronic disease
Most common cause of death
Acute chest syndrome
Priority problem in metastatic cancer
Pain / complications depending on system
Priority for thrombocytopenia patient
Bleeding precautions
Priority complication
Infection or bleeding
Normal labs but patient is hypotensive after trauma
Acute blood loss anemia
Medication that reduces crises
Hydroxyurea