Lung Cancer — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Smoking = #1 causeAlso known as: bronchogenic carcinoma · lung carcinoma
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Lung Cancer on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
🩺 Signs
- Persistent cough, hemoptysis, hoarseness
- Weight loss, dyspnea, chest pain
- Cough change in chronic smoker
📌 Types
- SCLC → fast, paraneoplastic SIADH
- NSCLC → most common, slower
📌 Risk
- Smoking, radon, asbestos, secondhand
🚩 Report
- SVC syndrome: face/arm swelling
- New hemoptysis, severe dyspnea
🎓 Teach
- Smoking cessation = key prevention
📚 Lung Cancer — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- Smoking is the leading risk factor; other risks include radon, asbestos, and secondhand smoke exposure.
- Early disease is often asymptomatic; a persistent cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, hoarseness, and chest pain are common signs.
- Small cell lung cancer is aggressive, metastasizes early, and is associated with paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., SIADH, Cushing's).
- It is a common cause of superior vena cava syndrome and malignant pleural effusion.
- Diagnosis uses chest imaging and biopsy/bronchoscopy; treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted/immunotherapy.
- Low-dose CT screening is recommended for high-risk current/former heavy smokers.
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- Maintain a patent airway and optimize oxygenation; position upright and provide oxygen as prescribed.
- Assess respiratory status, breath sounds, and effectiveness of breathing; monitor for worsening dyspnea.
- Manage pain and energy conservation; cluster care to reduce fatigue and oxygen demand.
- Support effective coughing and secretion clearance; monitor sputum for hemoptysis.
- Provide emotional support, smoking cessation resources, and end-of-life/palliative discussions as appropriate.
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Sudden severe dyspnea, increasing hemoptysis, or signs of airway obstruction require immediate intervention.
- Facial/neck swelling, distended neck veins (superior vena cava syndrome) need prompt reporting.
- Acute chest pain with shortness of breath may indicate pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or pulmonary embolism.
Labs & values
Numbers to know- Sputum cytology: may show malignant cells
- Chest CT/biopsy: diagnostic
- Serum sodium: may be low with SIADH (normal 135-145 mEq/L)
- Pulmonary function tests: assess surgical candidacy
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke; provide cessation resources and support.
- Report persistent cough, blood in sputum, worsening shortness of breath, hoarseness, or unexplained weight loss.
- Conserve energy by pacing activities and resting between tasks.
- Use prescribed oxygen safely (no smoking or open flames near oxygen).
- High-risk heavy smokers should discuss low-dose CT lung cancer screening with their provider.
❓ Lung Cancer: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Lung Cancer?
Maintain a patent airway and optimize oxygenation; position upright and provide oxygen as prescribed. Assess respiratory status, breath sounds, and effectiveness of breathing; monitor for worsening dyspnea. Manage pain and energy conservation; cluster care to reduce fatigue and oxygen demand. Support effective coughing and secretion clearance; monitor sputum for hemoptysis.
What are the warning signs of Lung Cancer a nurse must report?
Sudden severe dyspnea, increasing hemoptysis, or signs of airway obstruction require immediate intervention. Facial/neck swelling, distended neck veins (superior vena cava syndrome) need prompt reporting. Acute chest pain with shortness of breath may indicate pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or pulmonary embolism.
What do I need to know about Lung Cancer for the NCLEX?
Smoking is the leading risk factor; other risks include radon, asbestos, and secondhand smoke exposure. Early disease is often asymptomatic; a persistent cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, hoarseness, and chest pain are common signs. Small cell lung cancer is aggressive, metastasizes early, and is associated with paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., SIADH, Cushing's). It is a common cause of superior vena cava syndrome and malignant pleural effusion.
What patient teaching is important for Lung Cancer?
Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke; provide cessation resources and support. Report persistent cough, blood in sputum, worsening shortness of breath, hoarseness, or unexplained weight loss. Conserve energy by pacing activities and resting between tasks. Use prescribed oxygen safely (no smoking or open flames near oxygen).
Quick Tip
Smoking is the leading risk factor; other risks include radon, asbestos, and secondhand smoke exposure.
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