A nurse is on the treadmill exercising, when the woman next to her say

A nurse is on the treadmill exercising, when the woman next to her says, “You’re a nurse. Explain to me how the scale says I’ve lost weight, but my waist and tummy just keep getting larger.” Which of the following would be the most appropriate response by

a. “I’m concerned. You need to see your health care provider to follow up on this.”
b. “Muscle weighs more than fat so you’re creating muscle while losing fat, but it takes a while for the body to redistribute the weight.”
c. “Tell me what you’ve been eating in the last week or so.”
d. “You’re running so you’re strengthening your legs and thighs, but to lose around your tummy, you have to exercise your abdominal muscles.”

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: A
The most common sign of ovarian cancer is abdominal enlargement. A woman may complain that her skirts and slacks are getting tighter in the waist. Because ovarian cancer is a silent cancer that causes more deaths than any other pelvic malignancy, the woman needs to see her health care provider immediately for transvaginal ultrasonography and a blood test (CA-125). Thus, it is important to refer the woman to a healthcare provider and not try to minimize or rationalize the symptoms that she has reported.