Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) Certification Practice Test

Which symptom indicates the clinical consequence of excessive cell lysis products in Tumor Lysis Syndrome?

1. Fatigue

2. Hyperkalemia

3. Hepatomegaly

4. Chest Pain

The correct answer is: Hyperkalemia

The symptom indicating the clinical consequence of excessive cell lysis products in Tumor Lysis Syndrome is hyperkalemia. Tumor Lysis Syndrome occurs when large numbers of malignant cells are rapidly destroyed, often in response to chemotherapy. This rapid breakdown releases intracellular components into the bloodstream, including potassium, phosphorus, and uric acid. Hyperkalemia, or elevated potassium levels in the blood, is a critical condition that can result from the massive release of potassium from lysed cells. Elevated potassium can lead to serious cardiac complications, including arrhythmias, making it a direct and significant clinical consequence of cell lysis. While fatigue may be a general symptom associated with many cancer-related conditions, it is not specific to the excessive release of metabolic products seen in Tumor Lysis Syndrome. Hepatomegaly could be associated with liver involvement but does not directly reflect the acute changes following tumor cell lysis. Chest pain, while it could arise from various causes, is not a specific indicator of Tumor Lysis Syndrome or its associated metabolic derangements. Therefore, hyperkalemia is the symptom most closely linked to the consequences of cell lysis in this syndrome, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing electrolyte levels in affected patients.