Skin Cancer: Melanoma; Basal cell carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma
Skin Cancer: Melanoma; Basal cell carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma ( 15 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a patient with squamous cell carcinoma. What potential complication should the nurse closely monitor for in this patient?
Metastasis to distant organs is a potential complication of squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma can invade surrounding tissues and, if left untreated or if it spreads to lymph nodes or distant organs, it can become life-threatening.
Therefore, nurses should closely monitor for signs of metastasis, such as enlarged lymph nodes or symptoms indicative of distant organ involvement.
Local tissue invasion is a characteristic feature of squamous cell carcinoma, but it is not considered a potential complication.
Instead, local tissue invasion is one of the primary characteristics of this type of skin cancer.
Complications typically refer to adverse outcomes or events that can occur as a result of the disease process, such as metastasis.
Cosmetic disfigurement is a possible consequence of treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, such as surgery to remove the cancerous tissue.
However, it is not a complication in the sense of an unexpected or adverse event.
Patients are often informed about the potential for cosmetic changes as part of the informed consent process before surgery.
Recurrent tumors are a potential complication of squamous cell carcinoma.
Even after treatment, squamous cell carcinoma can recur in the same location or develop in nearby areas.
Therefore, it is important for nurses to monitor for signs of recurrence and educate patients about the importance of regular follow-up and skin examinations.
Choice A rationale:
Metastasis to distant organs is a potential complication of squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma can invade surrounding tissues and, if left untreated or if it spreads to lymph nodes or distant organs, it can become life-threatening.
Therefore, nurses should closely monitor for signs of metastasis, such as enlarged lymph nodes or symptoms indicative of distant organ involvement.
Choice B rationale:
Local tissue invasion is a characteristic feature of squamous cell carcinoma, but it is not considered a potential complication.
Instead, local tissue invasion is one of the primary characteristics of this type of skin cancer.
Complications typically refer to adverse outcomes or events that can occur as a result of the disease process, such as metastasis.
Choice C rationale:
Cosmetic disfigurement is a possible consequence of treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, such as surgery to remove the cancerous tissue.
However, it is not a complication in the sense of an unexpected or adverse event.
Patients are often informed about the potential for cosmetic changes as part of the informed consent process before surgery.
Choice D rationale:
Recurrent tumors are a potential complication of squamous cell carcinoma.
Even after treatment, squamous cell carcinoma can recur in the same location or develop in nearby areas.
Therefore, it is important for nurses to monitor for signs of recurrence and educate patients about the importance of regular follow-up and skin examinations.