Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) Certification Practice Test

What is associated with the loss of ambulation for more than 48 hours in treating spinal issues?

1. Immediate surgical intervention

2. Probable need for radiation therapy alone

3. Likely outcome of conservative management

4. Indication for chemotherapy

The correct answer is: Probable need for radiation therapy alone

The situation described in the question focuses on the loss of ambulation for more than 48 hours in the context of spinal issues. The correct association here is with the probable need for radiation therapy alone. This is often relevant in cases where there may be malignancies encroaching upon the spinal structures, which can lead to significant neurological compromise and subsequent loss of mobility. When spinal issues arise due to tumors, whether primary or metastatic, the compression of neural elements can result in severe functional impairment. Radiation therapy can be an effective modality for alleviating pain and reducing the size of tumors, potentially restoring some degree of neural function and facilitating ambulation. This intervention can be crucial, especially when surgical options are not immediately viable or when less aggressive interventions are deemed unsuitable or risky. In contrast to this, immediate surgical intervention may not always be necessary or feasible depending on the patient’s overall condition and the specific nature of the spinal issues. Conservative management typically includes physical therapy and pain management but may not adequately address significant nerve compression that leads to loss of mobility. Chemotherapy is primarily reserved for systemic treatment of malignancies and does not typically provide immediate relief or corrective action for spinal cord compression, further distancing it from being a primary indication in this context.