Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has colorectal cancer and is recieving chemotherapy. The client asks the nurse why blood is being drawn for a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

a. "The CEA determines the current stage of you colon cancer."
b. "The CEA determines the efficacy of your chemotherapy."
c. "The CEA determines if the neutrophil count is below the expected reference range."
d. "The CEA determines if you are experiencing occult bleeding from the GI tract."

Answer 1

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is used to monitor colorectal cancer treatment and progression, not to detect occult bleeding. Elevated CEA levels may suggest the presence or return of cancer, guiding further diagnostic actions. Consistently low CEA levels can reassure patients in remission.

Step-by-step explanation:

The CEA, or carcinoembryonic antigen, is a type of cancer-specific marker that is used to help monitor the treatment and progression of colorectal cancer. When a healthcare provider orders a CEA test, they are not looking to detect occult bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract; rather, this test is used to monitor the disease after the diagnosis and treatment have occurred.

An elevated CEA level can suggest that the cancer is still present or may have returned after treatment. It's important for healthcare professionals and patients alike to understand that while an elevated CEA level does not definitively signify the presence of bowel cancer, it can be a critical indicator in someone with a history of colorectal cancer. A series of CEA results can guide a physician on whether further diagnostic tests, such as PET scans, are necessary.

CEA levels can also provide reassurance to patients in remission when the levels remain consistently low. Subsequently, a rising sequence of CEA readings might alert the oncologist to the possibility of the cancer's recurrence, prompting further investigation.