Patient Care and Management Flashcards

An oxygen cylinder must be handled safely in the treatment room. Which practice is correct?

Answer: Keep it secured upright in a holder or cart

Oxygen cylinders must be secured upright and kept away from heat and oil-based products to prevent accidents.

A child under 3 years old needs daily radiation treatments with strict immobilization. What is commonly required?

Answer: Daily anesthesia or sedation managed by an anesthesia team

Young children often need daily anesthesia so they stay still and positioning is reproducible.

Which symptom combination suggests superior vena cava syndrome in a patient with lung cancer?

Answer: Facial swelling, distended neck veins, and shortness of breath

SVC obstruction blocks venous return from the head and arms, causing facial and neck swelling and dyspnea.

A patient's hemoglobin is 7.8 g/dL during treatment. Why is this a concern in radiation therapy?

Answer: Low hemoglobin can cause tumor hypoxia, which reduces radiosensitivity

Anemia lowers tumor oxygenation, and hypoxic cells are more radioresistant.

Which is the correct order for removing PPE after caring for a patient on contact precautions?

Answer: Gloves, then gown, then hand hygiene

Gloves are the most contaminated item and come off first, and hand hygiene is done after all PPE is removed.

A patient states they no longer want to continue radiation therapy. The therapist should:

Answer: Respect the decision, avoid treating, and notify the radiation oncologist

Competent patients have the right to refuse treatment, and the physician must be told so the decision can be discussed.

When documenting an incident in which a patient fell in the department, the report should:

Answer: Contain objective facts about what happened and the care given

Incident reports should record objective facts and actions taken without blame, and they are kept separate from the medical record.