Cancer Metastasis Explained by Nurse
Published:
A patient who was recently diagnosed with cancer and is worried that their cancer might spread asks the nurse how cancer spreads? What would be the nurse's best response?
A) "Cancer can only metastasize to tissues with properties similar to the original tumor."
B) "Metastasis does not always happen. Can you tell me more about your concerns?"
C) "Cancer cells are able to spread through the lymph channels and the blood vessels."
D) "Cancer cells invade tissues and replace the cellular DNA to replicate in new areas."
Animated Video Solution
The first half plays free, the full solution is in the app.
Step by Step Written Solution
Hello! Let's help this nurse explain how cancer spreads to a concerned patient. The question asks for the best response regarding the mechanisms of cancer spread.
Nursing Communication: Explaining Metastasis
The patient specifically asks 'how' cancer spreads. We need an answer that is biologically accurate and directly addresses this mechanism. Let's look at the options.
Option one says cancer only spreads to similar tissues. This is incorrect. While some cancers have preferences, they can spread to many different types of organs.
1. Limited Metastasis? - Incorrect. Cancer cells can travel to diverse tissues.
Option two is a good therapeutic communication technique for addressing the patient's anxiety, but it doesn't answer the specific question of 'how' the spread occurs.
2. Therapeutic listening? - Good for empathy, but doesn't answer the 'how'.
Option three states that cancer cells are able to spread through the lymph channels and the blood vessels. This is the physiological mechanism of metastasis.
3. Mechanism of Spread? - Cancer uses the circulatory and lymphatic systems to travel.
The rest of this solution is on Solvi
4 more steps are locked. Watch the full animated, narrated solution for free.
Snap a photo, solve any question like this.
Watch the Rest for Free
Free to download · First solutions are on us
