Patient Education and Psychosocial Care Flashcards

A patient undergoing radiation therapy to the chest asks if they can hug their grandchildren. The correct response is:

Answer: 'External beam radiation does not make you radioactive — you are safe to hug family members.'

External beam radiation does not make patients radioactive; restrictions on contact apply only to patients with implanted or ingested radioactive sources.

Which assessment is essential before providing cancer patient education to ensure effectiveness?

Answer: Patient's readiness to learn, health literacy, preferred learning style, and language

Effective patient education begins with assessing readiness to learn, health literacy, language, and preferred learning style to tailor teaching appropriately.

Which of the following is a key component of a survivorship care plan (SCP)?

Answer: Summary of cancer treatment received plus a follow-up plan for surveillance and late effects

A survivorship care plan includes a treatment summary and a forward-looking plan covering surveillance schedules, late effects, and health promotion.

A patient with newly diagnosed cancer refuses to discuss prognosis with the physician, saying 'Just tell my wife everything.' How should the nurse respond?

Answer: Respect the patient's expressed preference to have the spouse receive information, and document this preference

Patient autonomy includes the right to delegate information-sharing; the nurse should honor and document this preference while ensuring the designated person is properly informed.

Financial toxicity in oncology refers to:

Answer: The negative financial burden experienced by patients due to cancer treatment costs, affecting well-being and adherence

Financial toxicity describes the economic harm caused by cancer treatment costs — including medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses — which can lead to non-adherence and poor outcomes.

Which oncology nursing organization publishes the standards of oncology nursing practice and the OCN certification?

Answer: Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) establishes standards of oncology nursing practice and administers the OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse) certification examination.