Surgical Oncology Nursing Flashcards

A patient is scheduled for a modified radical mastectomy. Which preoperative teaching should the oncology nurse prioritize?

Answer: Arm exercises and range of motion activities post-surgery

After mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection, arm exercises and range of motion activities are essential to prevent lymphedema and restore upper extremity function.

Which assessment finding in a postoperative oncology patient requires the most immediate nursing intervention?

Answer: Urine output of 25 mL/hr for 2 consecutive hours

Urine output below 30 mL/hr for 2 consecutive hours indicates potential hypovolemia or renal compromise requiring immediate assessment and intervention.

A patient returns from colon resection surgery with a Jackson-Pratt drain. The nurse notes the drainage has changed from serosanguineous to bright red. What is the priority action?

Answer: Notify the surgeon immediately

A change in drain output to bright red indicates active hemorrhage, which requires immediate surgical notification for evaluation and potential intervention.

Which intervention is most appropriate to prevent surgical site infection in a patient undergoing colorectal cancer surgery?

Answer: Administer prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes before incision

Evidence-based guidelines recommend administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes before the surgical incision to achieve adequate tissue concentrations at the time of incision.

A patient is recovering from a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) for pancreatic cancer. Which postoperative complication is most common?

Answer: Delayed gastric emptying

Delayed gastric emptying is the most frequently occurring complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy, affecting 20–50% of patients due to disruption of gastric motility pathways.

A nurse caring for a patient after right hemicolectomy observes that the stoma appears dark purple-brown on postoperative day 2. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Answer: Notify the surgeon immediately

A dark purple or brown stoma indicates compromised vascular supply and potential stomal ischemia or necrosis, requiring immediate surgical notification.

Which Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol element is most effective in reducing postoperative ileus in cancer surgery patients?

Answer: Early ambulation within 24 hours of surgery

Early ambulation within 24 hours is a core ERAS component that stimulates gastrointestinal motility and significantly reduces the duration of postoperative ileus.