Common Health Problems in Preschoolers: Nursing Care for Childhood Leukemias and Wilm's Tumor

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Questions and Answers

What type of cancer is most frequent in children?

Brain tumor

Solid tumor

Leukemia (correct)

Lung cancer

What is the main characteristic of malignant and cancerous cells?

Predictable behavior

Slow division rate

Disorderly and chaotic growth (correct)

Uniform growth pattern

What is the recommended health promotion strategy to reduce cancer risk in children?

Applying sunscreen and reducing sun exposure (correct)

Daily sunbathing

No need for HPV vaccine

Encouraging smoking at a young age

Which type of tumor is specifically mentioned as common in preschoolers?

Wilm's tumor (nephroblastoma) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common form of cancer in adults?

Solid tumor Signup and view all the answers

Why do children who receive chemotherapy or radiation have a higher risk of developing another cancer later in life?

Side effects of treatments damaging healthy cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason that tumors in children most frequently occur in organs unexposed to the environment?

Accumulation of mutations in the cell Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is commonly affected by nephroblastoma in children?

Kidney Signup and view all the answers

What type of viruses have been implicated in causing leukemia?

Single-stranded RNA viruses Signup and view all the answers

Why are neoplastic cells not reversible according to the somatic mutation theory?

Accumulation of mutations Signup and view all the answers

Which virus is associated with Burkitt lymphoma?

EBV Signup and view all the answers

What symptoms might lead parents to bring a child for cancer care according to the text?

Nosebleeds and constipation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why malignant tissue grows in a disorderly manner?

It does not respond to normal growth-control mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate size of a tumor mass when it is first detected by palpation?

30 times the size of its original aberrant cell Signup and view all the answers

What type of tumor can cause damage by pressing on adjacent tissue?

Benign tumor Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical cause of tumors in adults?

Chronic exposure to chemical irritants or cigarette smoke Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of NEOPLASM?

A new growth that does not respond to normal growth-control mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant difference between benign and malignant tumors?

Benign tumors do not invade surrounding tissue, while malignant tumors do Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic procedure is NOT typically used to confirm a diagnosis of a malignancy?

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tumor staging in the context of malignant tumors?

To design an effective treatment program and establish a prognosis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of biopsy is frequently used with children?

Bone marrow aspiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of assessing height and weight in children during a physical examination for potential malignancy?

To detect any abnormalities that may indicate a malignancy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of diagnostic procedure is considered minor surgery and is usually done on an ambulatory basis?

Biopsy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of knowing the stage of a tumor?

To design an effective treatment program and establish a prognosis Signup and view all the answers

What are the localized effects of chemotherapy on the skin?

Erythema, tenderness, and maintaining skin integrity Signup and view all the answers

What are the different administration routes for chemotherapeutic agents?

IV, PO, and IM/SQ Signup and view all the answers

Which chemotherapeutic agents require special handling procedures?

Only those that need mixing Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms of acute chemotherapy side effects?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of administering an antiemetic before chemotherapy?

To prevent nausea and vomiting before it starts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cytotoxic precautions in chemotherapy?

To prevent skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nursing Care of a Family When a Child Has a Malignancy

Malignant cells grow and proliferate in a disorderly, chaotic fashion
In children, the most frequent type of cancer is leukemia, a type of immature white blood cell (WBC) overgrowth
Health promotion and risk management strategies include:
- Reducing exposure to secondary cigarette smoke and urging adolescents not to begin smoking
- Applying sunscreen and reducing sun exposure
- Vaccinating both boys and girls against human papillomavirus (HPV)

Neoplasia

Neoplasm refers to a new abnormal growth that does not respond to normal growth-control mechanisms
Normal cells can recognize and communicate with each other to stop growth when crowded, but neoplastic cells do not respond or receive this communication
Neoplasms can be either benign (limited growth) or malignant (cancerous or unlimited growth)

Causes of Neoplastic Growth

Somatic mutation theory proposes that an accumulation of mutations in a cell leads to neoplastic transformation
Oncogenic viruses (cancer-causing viruses) such as HPV may be directly responsible for tumor growth
Exposure to environmental factors such as chemical irritants or cigarette smoke may contribute to neoplastic growth in adults

Assessing Children with Cancer

Many cancers in children have been developing for some time before symptoms appear
Symptoms may include bruising, nosebleeds, headache, pain in a knee, and constipation
Cachexia (loss of weight and anorexia) can occur if the tumor is growing rapidly and taking nutrients from normal cells

Cell Growth

Normal cells appear to recognize and communicate with each other to stop growth when crowded
Neoplastic cells do not respond to this communication or cannot receive it, so they continue to grow despite being crowded
By the time a tumor mass is detected, it is probably about 30 times the size of its original aberrant cell

Neoplastic Growth

Neoplasms can cause damage by pressing on adjacent tissue, even if they are benign
Brain tumors in children are often benign but can cause respiratory depression from increased pressure on the respiratory center

Physical and Laboratory Examination

Any suspicion of a malignancy requires a thorough physical examination
Assessing height and weight of children is an important component
Diagnostic procedures may include radiography (X-ray), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood analysis, and biopsy

Biopsy

Biopsy is the surgical removal of tissue cells for laboratory analysis
It is classified as minor surgery and is usually done on an ambulatory basis
Bone marrow aspiration is a frequent type of biopsy used with children and is done with only local anesthesia

Staging

Tumor staging is a procedure that documents the extent and progress of a malignant tumor
Knowing the stage of a tumor helps the health care team design an effective treatment program, establish an accurate prognosis, and evaluate the progress or regression of the disease

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic agents are drugs capable of destroying malignant cells
Chemotherapy is scheduled at intervals that increase the ability to destroy malignant cells throughout the cell cycle
Agents can be administered IV, PO, or IM/SQ and are classified into different categories
Cytotoxic precautions should be taken when handling chemotherapeutic agents, as they can cause acute skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritations, as well as nausea, headaches, and dizziness
Nausea and vomiting can be prevented by administering an antiemetic before chemotherapy and at 4- to 8-hour intervals during therapy

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Description

This quiz covers common health problems in preschoolers related to childhood leukemias and Wilm's tumor, including nursing care for families dealing with these malignancies. Learn about the characteristics, treatment, and care strategies for children with cancerous conditions.