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GPC 1930 Nursing
Cancer
39
Nursing
Undergraduate 2
05/30/2012

Additional Nursing Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

 

Cancer cells

Definition

 

Abnormal cells that serve no useful function and are harmful to normal body tissue.

Term

 

Primary Tumor

Definition

 

Site at which cancer cells originated, even if they are found in another area.

Term

 

Metastasis

Definition

 

Movement of cancer cells from primary lesion to other parts of the body.

Term

 

Benign Cancer Cells

 

 

Definition

 

Local, well-defined border, slow growing, encapsulated, pushes other tissues out of the way, easily removed and may not occur.

Term

 

Dx: for Cancer

 

Definition

 

Biopsy, CXR, cytology

Term

 

Malignant Cancer Cells

Definition

 

Rapid growing, invasive, invades or destroys surrounding tissues, metastasize to distant sites, not always easy to remove and can recur.

Term

 

Metastasis

Definition

 

Invades surrounding tissue

spreads via lymphatic system: lymph can carry cancer cells throughout the body

 hematological spread: most common way for cancer to spread throughout the body via blood vessels.

Term
Breast Metastasis
Definition

 

Bone, Lung, Liver, Brain

Term

 

Lung Metastasis

Definition

 

Brain, Bone, Liver, Lymph Nodes, Pancreas

Term

 

Colorectal Cancer

 

Definition

 

Liver, Lymph Nodes, Adjacent Structures

Term

 

Prostate Metastasis

Definition

 

Bone & Pelvic area

Term

 

Brain Metastasis

Definition

 

CNS

Term

 

Renal Tumors

Definition

 

Evolve from the Kidney

Term

 

Solid Tumors

Definition

 

 Develop in specific tissue: Breast & Lung

Term

 

Osteo Tumors

Definition

 

originate from the Bone

Term

 

Hematologic Cancers

Definition

 

Originate from blood-forming tissues: Leukemia & Lymphomas

Term

 

Tumor Staging

Definition

 

T = extent of primary tumor

 

N = Number of lymph nodes involved

 

M = extent of Metastasis (is it closer to or further from primary tumor?)

Term

 

Tumor Grading

 

Definition

Grade 1 = well-differentiated tumor, closely resembles tissue of origin in structure/function. This can designate breast, lung, etc..

Grade 2 =

Grade 3 =

Grade 4 = does not clearly resemble the tissue of origin in structure/function, poorly differentiated or undifferentiated

Term

 

Oncogenes

Definition

 

Genes that tell cells to divide, i.e., hair,skin,blood, liver. Heart & brain cells do NOT divide.

 

When oncogenes overexpress viruses can occur.

Term

 

Etiology of Cancer

Definition

 

Viruses/Bacteria: HPV

Physical Agents: sun, X-rays

Chemical agents: smoking, asbestos, ETOH

Genetics

Dietary factors: high-fiber, low-fat

Hormones: estrogen, progesterone

Weakened Immune System

Term

 

Primary Prevention of Cancer

Definition

 

Public education re: sunscreen, smoking, asbestos, limiting ETOH, safe sex, removal of moles/polyps/breasts, vaccines & chemoprevention

Term

 

Secondary Prevention of Cancer

Definition

 

Includes detection & screening:

 yearly mammogram over 40 yrs

Colonoscopy at 50 yrs and every 10 yrs

Year Prostate Specific Antigen over 50 yrs

Pap smears

Fecal Occult Blood tests

Term

 

7 Warning Signs of Cancer

 

(CAUTION)

 

Definition

C - Change in bowel or bladder

A - A sore that does not heal

U - Unusual bleeding or discharge

T - Thickening or lump

I - Indigestion or trouble swallowing

O - Obvious changes to moles/warts

N - nagging cough or hoarseness

COUGH is 1ST SIGN OF CANCER

 

Term

 

Testing for Cancer

Definition

 

CBC, LFT (liver function test), CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)

Bone marrow, CT, MRI, mammogram

Guaic sool (hemacult), colonscopy

Term

 

Cancer Treatment Options

Definition

 

Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy, Adjuvant Therapy, Hormonal Manipulation, Immunotherapy: Biologic Response Modifiers (BRMs) (platelets)

Term

 

 

 

Types of Surgery

for Cancer

Definition

Prophylactic: breast

Diagnosis & staging

Curative:  colon

Cancer control/cytoreductive: debulking the tumor

Palliative: comfort

Secondary: to see if 1st surgery was successful

Reconstructive/Rehabilitative: breast implants/ball in testes

SEs: pain, body image, anger

Term

 

Role of Radiation

 

Definition

 

Kills cancer cells, makes them stop dividing.

External/Teletherapy:  X-rays

Internal/Brachytherapy: surgical implants (seeds)

Term

 

SEs of Radiation

Definition

 

Erythema (local) >

 

 desquamation (dk. red to purple) >

 

dry desquamation (peeling, shedding, pruritis) >

 

Wet desquamation (edema blisters)

Term

 

Nursing care for External Radiation

Definition

 

Avoid frequent washing (or washing off of markings), scratching, use electric razors.

Don't disrupt blisters. No lo;tions,soaps, deodorants, powder. No hot or cold. If weeping, gauze dressing.

Term

 

Alkylating Chemo Agents

Definition

 

Directly damage DNA to prevent cell reproduction.

 

All phases of cell cycle.

SE: N/V, alopecia, sterility

ASE: hemorrhagic cystitis, myelosuppression, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity

Term

 

Antimetabolites

Definition

 

Interferes with DNA and RNA growth by substituting for normal building blocks of RNA and DNA.

Cell damage during S phase.

SE: N/V, diarrhea, stomatitis, leukopenia, alopecia

ASE: myselosuppression (anemia), renal failure

Term
Antitumor Antibiotics
Definition

 

Interfere with enzymes involved in DNA replication. Work in the S phase.

SE: N/V, alopecia, red urine, hyperuricemia, stomatitis

ASE: cardiotoxicity, allergic reaction, myselosuppression, extravasation

(kills tissue could lose joint movement)

Adriamycin (vesicant)- check HR. Lifetime limit. Allergic reaction.

Term

 

Hormonal Agents

Definition

 

Block estrogen/cause hormonal symptoms

SE: hot flashes, vaginal bleeding, bone pain, peripheral edema, weight gain

ASE: hypercalcemia, hepatic dysfunction.

 

Tamoxifen citrate

Term

 

Biologic Response Modifiers (BRMs)

 

Definition

Cytokines: interferons & interleukins

SE: Fever, chills, rigors & flu-like, peripheral neuropathy, orthostatic hypotension, skin rashes

 

Stay hydrated!! Lots of fluids!!!

(for melanomas)

Term

 

Common Undesirable Effects of

 

Chemotherapy

Definition

 

Bone marrow suppression, alopecia, N/V, fear and anxiety, stomatitis (mouth care vital!)

 

Decreased platelets, Decreased WBCs = high risk of infection

Term

 

Extravasation

Definition

 

Vesicant drugs: adriamycin, vincristine, nitrogen mustard

 

Can cause tissue necrosis, damage to tendons, paresthesia, blood vessels.

 

Use Central line, blood for blood return, watch for swelling, pain redness at site

Term

 

Lab Alerts for Cancer

Definition

 

CBC

1) Hgb/Hct:  Low RBCs (< 8)

2) Neutropenia: Low WBC

3) Platelets low

Term

 

 

CBC Normal Values

Definition

Hemoglobin: 13.2-16.2 gm/dL (male)

12.0-15.2 gm/dL (female)

 

Hematocrit: 40-52% (male)

37-46% (female)

WBC: 4.1-10.9x103 /uL

Neutrophils: 45-73%

 

Platelets: 140-450x103/uL

(140,000 - 450,000)

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