Lung cancer

A respiratory therapist reviewing a lung cancer patient’s history recognize with finding as the important risk factor

Cigarette smoking history

Lung cancers commonly originate in the

Epithelium of the tracheobronchial tree

Bronchogenic carcinoma refers to teh cancer that orignates from the

bronchial mucosa

A malignant tumor is best described as a tumor that

invades the surrounding tissue and may metastasize.

A tumor projecting into a bronchus is most likely to cuase

Airway obstruction, mucus retention and atelectasis

Which clinical finding is most concerning for possible central airway obstruction in an older patient with a smoking history

New localized wheezing.

Bloody or rust colored sputum is called

hemoptysis

The two major categories of lung cancer are

NSCLC and SCLC.

Which type of lung cancer is more common and may be treated surgically if found early and localized

Non-small cell lung carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is commonly described as

Central, near a bronchus or hilum, and often obstructive.

A patient with cough, sputum production, hemoptysis, wheezing, atelectasis, and post-obstructive pneumonia most likely has a tumore that is

causing central airway obstruction.

Adenocarcinoma is commonly associated with

Peripheral lung location

Large cell carcinoma is best described as

Undifferentiated with rapid growth and early widespread metastasis.

Small cell lung carcinoma is important to recognize because it

Is strongly associated with smoking and metastasizes early

A patient with an apical lung tumor develops drooping eyelid, small pupil, and reduced sweating on the same side of the face. This is most consitant with

Horners syndrome

Facial swelling, neck swelling, arm swelling, upper chest swelling, and bluish-red skin color in a lung cancer patient suggests

Superior vena cava syndrome.

Paraneoplastic syndromes are best described as

Indirect systemic effects caused by tumor secreted substances.

Diagnostic procedures for suspected lung cancer are used primarily to

Confirm cancer, identify cell type , and determine stage.

The definitive diagnosis of lung cancer requires

Microscopic examination of tissue or cells

Which imaging test may be the first to identify a suspicious mass, spot, atelectasis or pleural effuison

Chest radiograph

Which imaging test better defines tumor size, shape, location, and possible lymph node involvement.

CT scan

PET scanning is useful in lung cancer because it helps identify

Areas of increased metabolic activy

Bronchoscopy may be used to

Visualize the tracheobronchial tree and obtain.

EBUS is especially useful because it can help evaluate

Mediastinal structures and lymphnodes

Thoracentesis is most appropriate when the clinician needs to

Obtain pleural fluid for evaluation

In the TNM staging system, the I category describes

Primary tumor size, location or invasion

In the TNM staging system, the N category describes

Regional lymph node involvement

In the TNM staging system, the M category describes

Distant metastasis

Lung cancer patient has this ABG on 2 L/min NC. pH 7.51, PaCO2 29, HCO 23, PaO2 66. The best interpretation is

Acute alveolar hyperventilation with hypoxemia

A lung cancer patient PaO2 worsens despite increasing oxygen from 2L to 4L this is most concerning for

Worsening V/Q mismatch, atelectasis, mucus plugging or disease progression.

Benign tumors can still cause serious respiratory problems if they obstruct or compress vital structures

True

Low tar or light cigarettes remove the risk of lung cancer.

False, they are just as bad.

NSCLC and SCLC differ in growth rate, metastatic pattern, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment

true

Squamous cell carcinoma is often central and may cause airway obstruction, atelectasis, pneumonia, and hemoptysis.

True, (small cell does this as well)

Adenocarcinoma is often found in peripheral lung regions and may be associated with pleural effusion

True

Small cell lung carcinoma generally grows very slowly and rarely metastasizes.

False, grows fast and metastasizes quickly.

CBC and chemistry testing can support treatment planning but do not diagnosis lung cancer by itself.

True

Pulmonary function testing in lung cancer may show obstructive or restrictive patterns depending on tumor location and extent.

True

Lung expansion therapy may be used to treat or prevent atelectasis and pneumonia

True

A lung cancer patient with worsening hypoxemia, hypercapnia, respiratory muscle fatigue, or ventilatory failure may require escalation of respiratory failure.

True