Chapter 46: Antineoplastic Drugs Part 2

A patient is receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin) as part of treatment for ovarian cancer. Which nursing diagnosis is related to this antineoplastic drug? a. Decreased cardiac output related to the adverse effect of cardiotoxicity b. Ineffective breathing pattern related to the adverse effect of pulmonary toxicity c. Risk for injury related to the effects of neurotoxicity (ataxia, numbness of hands and feet) d. Impaired urinary elimination pattern related to hyperuricemia

ANS: A Decreased cardiac output related to the adverse effect of cardiotoxicity is a nursing diagnosis related to doxorubicin because adverse effects of doxorubicin include liver and cardiovascular toxicities. The other options are incorrect. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 742 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation

What is the nurse's priority action if extravasation of an antineoplastic drug occurs during intravenous (IV) administration? a. Reduce the infusion rate. b. Discontinue the IV, and apply warm compresses. c. Stop the infusion immediately, but leave the IV catheter in place. d. Change the infusion to normal saline, and inject the area with hydrocortisone.

ANS: C If extravasation is suspected, administration of the drug must be stopped immediately but the IV catheter left in place and the appropriate antidote instilled through the existing IV tube, after which the needle may be removed. The other options are incorrect. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 736 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care

During chemotherapy, a patient develops severe diarrhea caused by a vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumor (VIPoma). The nurse expects to administer which drug for this problem? a. Dexrazoxane (Zinecard) b. Allopurinol (Zyloprim) c. Octreotide (Sandostatin) d. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

ANS: C Octreotide (Sandostatin) is used for the management of a cancer-related condition called carcinoid crisis and treatment of the severe diarrhea caused by vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas). The other options are incorrect. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 740 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

When hanging a new infusion bag of a chemotherapy drug, the nurse accidentally spills a small amount of the solution onto the floor. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Let it dry, and then mop the floor. b. Wipe the area with a disposable paper towel. c. Use a spill kit to clean the area. d. Ask the housekeeping department to clean the floor.

ANS: C Special spill kits are employed to clean up even the smallest chemotherapy spills. These precautions are necessary to protect the health care provider from the cytotoxic effects of these drugs. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 741 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control

Just before the second course of chemotherapy, the laboratory calls to report that the patient's neutrophil count is 450 cells/mm3. The nurse expects that the oncologist will follow which course of treatment? a. Chemotherapy will continue as scheduled. b. Chemotherapy will resume with a lowered dosage. c. Chemotherapy will resume after a transfusion of neutrophils. d. Chemotherapy will be withheld until the neutrophil count returns toward normal levels.

ANS: D The normal range for neutrophils is above 1500 cells/mm3. If neutrophils are decreased to levels of less than 500 cells/mm3 (neutropenia), there is risk for severe infection. Chemotherapy will be held until the count returns toward normal levels. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analyzing (Analysis) REF: p. 744 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A female patient is receiving palliative therapy with androgen hormones as part of treatment for inoperable breast cancer. The nurse will discuss with the patient which potential body image changes that may occur as adverse effects? a. Hirsutism and acne b. Weight gain c. Flushing and hot flashes d. Alopecia and body odor A female patient is receiving palliative therapy with androgen hormones as part of treatment for inoperable breast cancer. The nurse will discuss with the patient which potential body image changes that may occur as adverse effects? a. Hirsutism and acne b. Weight gain c. Flushing and hot flashes d. Alopecia and body odor

ANS: A Androgens used for cancer treatment, such as fluoxymesterone and testolactone, can cause menstrual irregularities, virilization of female, gynecomastia, hirsutism, acne, anxiety, headache, and nausea. The patient needs to be told of these effects before therapy begins. The other options are incorrect. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 738 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

When a patient is receiving cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) chemotherapy, the nurse will monitor for which adverse effects? (Select all that apply.) a. Tinnitus b. Heart failure c. Hearing loss d. Elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels e. Numbness or tingling in the extremities f. Elevated glucose and ketone levels

ANS: A, C, D, E Cisplatin can cause nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and peripheral neuropathy. Nephrotoxicity is manifested by rising blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels; ototoxicity is manifested by tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness; peripheral neuropathy is manifested by numbness or tingling of the extremities. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 736 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

The nurse is assessing a patient who is receiving chemotherapy with an alkylating drug. Which assessment findings would be considered indications of an oncologic emergency? (Select all that apply.) a. Dry, "scratchy," or "swollen" throat b. Loss of hair c. Decreased red blood cell count d. White patches in the mouth or throat e. Temperature of 100.7° F (38.2° C) f. Decreased urine output

ANS: A, D, E, F Indications of an oncologic emergency include fever and/or chills with a temperature higher than 100.5° F (38.1° C); new sores or white patches in the mouth or throat; changes in bladder function or patterns; dry, burning, "scratchy," or "swollen" throat; and other signs and symptoms (see Box 46-4). The prescriber must be contacted immediately if any of the listed signs or symptoms occur. Loss of hair and decreased red blood cell count (a result of bone marrow suppression) are expected effects of chemotherapy. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analyzing (Analysis) REF: p. 744 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

The nurse is teaching a class about the various chemotherapy drugs. Which of these statements explains why alkylating drugs are also called "cell cycle-nonspecific drugs"? a. They are cytotoxic during a specific cell cycle. b. They are cytotoxic in any phase of the cell cycle. c. They are effective against several types of neoplasms. d. They are more highly differentiated than cell cycle-specific drugs.

ANS: B Cell cycle-nonspecific drugs kill cancer cells during any phase of the growth cycle, whereas cell cycle-specific drugs kill cancer cells during specific phases of the cell growth cycle. The other options are incorrect. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 734 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

When giving cisplatin (Platinol-AQ), the nurse is aware that the major dose-limiting effect of this drug is which condition? a. Alopecia b. Kidney damage c. Cardiotoxicity d. Stomatitis

ANS: B Cisplatin may cause nephrotoxicity, and the patient's renal function must be monitored closely while on this drug. Ensuring hydration will help to prevent nephrotoxicity. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 735 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A patient is receiving a third session of chemotherapy with daunorubicin (Cerubidine). The nurse will assess the patient for which signs of a potential severe toxic effect of this drug? a. Tinnitus and hearing loss b. Numbness and tingling in the fingers c. A weight gain of 2 pounds or more in 24 hours d. Decreased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels

ANS: C Cardiac toxicity may occur, so frequent checking of heart and breath sounds is necessary and daily weights need to be recorded (with reporting of an increase of 2 pounds or more in 24 hours or 5 pounds or more in 1 week). DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 743 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies