CH50: Traditional Chemotherapy
A 79-year-old woman has recently moved to a long-term care facility, and the nurse at the facility is conducting a medication reconciliation. The nurse notes that the woman has recently been taking tamoxifen. The nurse is justified in concluding that the woman has a history of what malignancy? Malignant melanoma Cervical cancer Ovarian cancer Breast cancer
Breast cancer Explanation: Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen that has been widely used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer after surgical excision in women aged 40 years and older and to treat metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive disease. Tamoxifen is not effective in preventing recurrence of any of the other options since none of those are estrogen-positive diseases
A client has been diagnosed with leukemia. Which alkylating agent is the only one that can be used for both acute and chronic leukemia? Streptozocin Chlorambucil Carmustine Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide Explanation: Cyclophosphamide is the only alkylating agent effective against acute as well as chronic leukemia
A client has just started on an alkylating agent to treat their cancer. What is the most common side effect of most alkylating agents? Myelosuppression Confusion Depression Nephrotoxicity
Myelosuppression Explanation: Hematological effects include bone marrow suppression, with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and pancytopenia, secondary to the effects of the drugs on the rapidly multiplying cells of the bone marrow.
A male client on 5-FU calls the clinic and reports that he has between five and seven loose bowel movements daily. The nurse will instruct the client to: notify the clinic if the stools are black or if there is evidence of blood. treat the diarrhea with OTC medications. avoid protein-rich foods. avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
notify the clinic if the stools are black or if there is evidence of blood. Explanation: If the client has more than three bowel movements daily, the nurse should instruct the client to observe the stools and notify the prescriber if stools are black or if there is evidence of blood. Hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities can be fatal and cannot be minimized by avoiding protein-rich foods or grapefruit. It is not advisable to treat diarrhea with OTC medications.
A female client will soon begin targeted therapy as a component of her treatment plan for chronic leukemia. The nurse is conducting health education about this new aspect of the client's drug regimen and the client has asked about the potential side effects of treatment. How should the nurse best respond? "The adverse effects to targeted therapies are most often a result of the client's cancer, not the drugs themselves." "Targeted therapies are often more effective than traditional chemotherapy, but the downside of this effectiveness is that adverse effects are more common and severe." "Chemotherapy causes a lot of unpleasant side effects, and the advantage of targeted therapies is that these are all avoided." "Both classes of drugs have adverse effects, but targeted therapies tend to have less of an effect on healthy body cells."
"Both classes of drugs have adverse effects, but targeted therapies tend to have less of an effect on healthy body cells." Explanation: Targeted therapies are generally considered to be less toxic than traditional chemotherapy drugs. However, adverse reactions to targeted therapies can occur such as severe skin reactions, GI toxicities, skin reactions, and thrombosis.
A client received an injection of doxorubicin and is now observing a reddish urine. The client reports blood in the urine to the nurse. How should the nurse respond? "We need to notify the health care provider because this is a complication of the medication." "You may have hemorrhagic cystitis." "The reddish urine is an expected response to the drug." "Let's get a urinalysis to confirm a urinary tract infection."
"The reddish urine is an expected response to the drug." Explanation: Reassure clients that reddish urine after doxorubicin injection is a harmless and expected response to the drug. This reaction may happen within 1 to 2 days postinfusion.
An adult client has recently begun cancer treatment with methotrexate (MTX). When reviewing this client's laboratory work, the nurse should consequently prioritize assessment of what? Calcium and magnesium BUN and creatinine Sodium and potassium Arterial blood gases
BUN and creatinine Explanation: The antimetabolites may also be nephrotoxic. MTX use in clients with impaired renal function may lead to accumulation of toxic amounts or additional renal damage. Evaluation of the client's renal status should take place before and during MTX therapy. This adverse effect of MTX treatment supersedes the importance of electrolytes and ABGs, though these would also be considered.
The nurse is providing medication education to a client with breast cancer who has been prescribed tamoxifen. How should the nurse explain the action of the drug? increases the viability of healthy cells that are adjacent to cancerous cells slows the growth of cancer cells induces apoptosis of cancer cells causes mutations of cancer cells
slows the growth of cancer cells Explanation: Antineoplastic hormone inhibitors slow the growth of cancer cells. They do not treat cancer by causing apoptosis (cell repair) or mutations. They do not influence healthy body cells in the area of the tumor.
A client's chemotherapeutic regimen includes procarbazine. What is the client's most likely diagnosis? Pancreatic cancer Astrocytoma Hodgkin lymphoma Neuroblastoma
Hodgkin lymphoma Explanation: Procarbazine (Matulane) is used in combination therapy for treatment of stages III and IV of Hodgkin disease.
A client's chemotherapy regimen has been deemed successful, but the client is experiencing debilitating nausea and vomiting. These adverse effects should signal the nurse to the possibility of what nursing diagnosis? Acute pain Adult failure to thrive Ineffective therapeutic regimen management Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements Explanation: Nausea and vomiting are major threats to the client's nutrition. Failure to thrive is typically a chronic, rather than acute, health problem. Pain does not necessarily accompany nausea, and there is no indication that this client is not maintaining the necessary regimen.
A client's chemotherapy regimen has been deemed successful, but the client is experiencing debilitating nausea and vomiting. These adverse effects should signal the nurse to the possibility of what nursing diagnosis? Ineffective therapeutic regimen management Adult failure to thrive Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements Acute pain
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements Explanation: Nausea and vomiting are major threats to the client's nutrition. Failure to thrive is typically a chronic, rather than acute, health problem. Pain does not necessarily accompany nausea, and there is no indication that this client is not maintaining the necessary regimen.
A non-English speaking client has just been diagnosed with cancer. The nurse notes that and no matter what is said, the client simply shakes his head and says "okay." How can the nurse best respond to this client? Obtain the services of an interpreter and educational reading in the client's native language Continue to speak English to the client regarding the client's diagnosis. Give the client lots of literature regarding the client's diagnosis so that the client can read it at his leisure. Speak English very slowly and loudly so that the client can understand better what the nurse is saying.
Obtain the services of an interpreter and educational reading in the client's native language Explanation: It is best for the nurse to obtain the services of an interpreter to translate the information to the client, and obtain literature that is written in the client's native language. It is important that the client understands the information, and by providing the information in his native language, the client is more likely to understand his illness and be compliant with his treatment. Speaking slowly and loudly will not help if the client does not understand English. If the literature is not written in Spanish, then it is worthless to someone who cannot read English.
A client with a pancreatic tumor will be starting on chemotherapy to decrease the size of the tumor, give the client a better quality of life, and reduce discomfort. What is this form of therapy called? Palliative therapy Neoadjuvant therapy Consolidation therapy Adjuvant therapy
Palliative therapy Explanation: Palliative therapy involves the use of chemotherapeutic drugs to control symptoms, provide comfort, and improve the client's quality of life if cure is not achievable.
A client has chosen to be placed on hospice. Which is acceptable chemotherapy for a client on hospice? Adjuvant chemotherapy Radiation combined with chemotherapy Neoadjuvant chemotherapy 682 SUBMIT ANSWER
682 Explanation: Palliative chemotherapy is used in advanced cancer to relieve symptoms and treat or prevent complications. Adjuvant chemotherapy is used after surgery or radiation to destroy or reduce microscopic metastasis. Radiation combined with chemotherapy is implemented to treat the cancer and not used in palliation. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used before surgery or radiation.
The nurse on an oncology unit is providing care for several clients with cancer, most of whom are receiving chemotherapy. What client should the nurse prioritize? A client with malignant melanoma receiving dacarbazine and who has developed mucositis A client with hairy cell leukemia receiving pentostatin whose urine output is 35 mL over the past 12 hours A client receiving methotrexate PO whose most recent complete blood count reveals a 0.9 g/dL (9 g/L) drop in hemoglobin A client who vomited 30 minutes after her first dose of capecitabine for metastatic breast cancer
A client with hairy cell leukemia receiving pentostatin whose urine output is 35 mL over the past 12 hours Explanation: Oliguria is suggestive of renal failure and requires prompt intervention. It would be prioritized over nausea and mucositis, even though the nurse should address both of these problems. Similarly, the care team should address the client's drop in hemoglobin but it is not so precipitous that it would be more time-dependent than a client with possible acute renal failure.
A client is prescribed doxorubicin drug therapy for carcinoma of the breast. On the second day of drug therapy, she calls in to report reddish urine. What should the nurse do? Reassure the client that it is a harmless and expected response to the drug. Caution the client against taking aspirin or caffeine. Suggest some nonpharmacologic interventions. Reassure the client about adequate monitoring and follow-up in her home setting.
Reassure the client that it is a harmless and expected response to the drug. Explanation: Reddish urine is observed within a day or two after doxorubicin injection. The client should be reassured that it is a harmless and expected response to the drug. Nonpharmacologic interventions should be reviewed only if the client reports nausea and vomiting. Though it is necessary to reassure the client about adequate monitoring and follow-up in her home setting and caution her against taking aspirin, these suggestions do not pertain to the occurrence of reddish urine.
What can the oncology nurse do to minimize the exposure risk to chemotherapeutic agents? Attend in-service education on chemotherapeutic agents Recognize the dangers of administering chemotherapeutic agents. Only administer chemotherapy agents that are not toxic. Review institutional policies and procedures related to chemotherapy
Review institutional policies and procedures related to chemotherapy Explanation: The recommendations made by advisory bodies serve as guidelines, and therefore institutional policies for handling, administering,, and disposing of chemotherapeutic agents may vary. Employees must be familiar with their own institution's policies and procedures and use them as precautionary measures to minimize their potential exposure.
A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic lymphoblastic myelogenous leukemia. The treatment plan includes hydroxyurea (Hydrea). The nurse will assess the client for: leukopenia. hypoglycemia. hypertension. diabetes mellitus.
leukopenia. Explanation: Hydroxyurea may be contraindicated in clients with low WBCs. The drug is not contraindicated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hypoglycemia.
A 39-year-old woman is receiving doxorubicin for the treatment of cancer. After each treatment, the client has acute nausea and vomiting accompanied by a slightly increased heart rate. The nurse will advise her to: perform relaxation techniques after the treatments. perform light exercise after administration of the drug. take the drug only at bedtime. make an appointment for cardiac function tests.
perform relaxation techniques after the treatments. Explanation: The nurse should explain to the client that many people experience acute nausea and vomiting. The nurse should also explain that nonpharmacologic measures such as relaxation techniques can sometimes help alleviate these symptoms. If the client does not know how to perform relaxation techniques, then the nurse should teach her. It is not necessary for the client to make an appointment for cardiac function tests because the nausea and vomiting are not related to cardiac function. Exercise will likely exacerbate the client's symptoms.
A client asks the nurse what cancer cell growth is called. What would the nurse tell the client? pleomorphism anaplasia proliferation neoplasm
proliferation Explanation: Cancer cell growth is not called anaplasia, pleomorphism, or neoplasm.
A 25-year-old female client is prescribed methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The nurse should teach the client to: use an effective contraceptive. take a pain reliever for sore throat. drink milk with the medication. expect a mild rash and itching.
use an effective contraceptive. Explanation: Women of childbearing age should use an effective contraceptive during therapy with methotrexate. When taking methotrexate, the client should be instructed to notify the primary health care provider immediately at first sign of a rash or sore throat. Drinking milk with the medication is not a specific teaching point for methotrexate use.
A female client will soon begin targeted therapy as a component of her treatment plan for chronic leukemia. The nurse is conducting health education about this new aspect of the client's drug regimen and the client has asked about the potential side effects of treatment. How should the nurse best respond? "The adverse effects to targeted therapies are most often a result of the client's cancer, not the drugs themselves." "Targeted therapies are often more effective than traditional chemotherapy, but the downside of this effectiveness is that adverse effects are more common and severe." "Both classes of drugs have adverse effects, but targeted therapies tend to have less of an effect on healthy body cells." "Chemotherapy causes a lot of unpleasant side effects, and the advantage of targeted therapies is that these are all avoided."
"Both classes of drugs have adverse effects, but targeted therapies tend to have less of an effect on healthy body cells." Explanation: Targeted therapies are generally considered to be less toxic than traditional chemotherapy drugs. However, adverse reactions to targeted therapies can occur such as severe skin reactions, GI toxicities, skin reactions, and thrombosis.
A client being treated with an antineoplastic medication is being discharged from the hospital. Which of the following teaching instructions is appropriate for this client? "You are likely to develop sores inside your mouth. When this happens, rinse with salt and lemon to burn the sores off." "Your cancer will never be gone; however, if you eat only natural foods the likelihood of it getting worse is lessened." "You will be excreting the antineoplastic medications in your stool and urine. As a precaution, double-flush the toilet with the lid closed so the chances of contact with the drug will be lessened." "Your hair loss is an irreversible side effect of chemotherapy treatment, so it would be wise to look into a wig or hair plugs."
"You will be excreting the antineoplastic medications in your stool and urine. As a precaution, double-flush the toilet with the lid closed so the chances of contact with the drug will be lessened." Explanation: Antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer are excreted in stool and urine. Some of these drugs are as dangerous when they are excreted as when they were infused. The toilet lid should be down and the toilet double-flushed to prevent contamination with the dangerous drugs. Some cancers are completely eradicated after being treated with antineoplastic drugs. Eating only natural foods has not been proven to decrease the likelihood of a client's cancer from getting worse. A client's hair usually comes back once chemotherapy treatments are done. If the client has mouth sores, then salty and spicy foods are not recommended because they will irritate the tender mucosa.
A client being treated with an antineoplastic medication is being discharged from the hospital. Which of the following teaching instructions is appropriate for this client? "You will be excreting the antineoplastic medications in your stool and urine. As a precaution, double-flush the toilet with the lid closed so the chances of contact with the drug will be lessened." "Your cancer will never be gone; however, if you eat only natural foods the likelihood of it getting worse is lessened." "Your hair loss is an irreversible side effect of chemotherapy treatment, so it would be wise to look into a wig or hair plugs." "You are likely to develop sores inside your mouth. When this happens, rinse with salt and lemon to burn the sores off."
"You will be excreting the antineoplastic medications in your stool and urine. As a precaution, double-flush the toilet with the lid closed so the chances of contact with the drug will be lessened." Explanation: Antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer are excreted in stool and urine. Some of these drugs are as dangerous when they are excreted as when they were infused. The toilet lid should be down and the toilet double-flushed to prevent contamination with the dangerous drugs. Some cancers are completely eradicated after being treated with antineoplastic drugs. Eating only natural foods has not been proven to decrease the likelihood of a client's cancer from getting worse. A client's hair usually comes back once chemotherapy treatments are done. If the client has mouth sores, then salty and spicy foods are not recommended because they will irritate the tender mucosa.
A client with acute myeloid leukemia has been receiving mitoxantrone IV as part of the chemotherapeutic regimen. When assessing the client for the effects of bone marrow suppression, the nurse should perform what assessment? Assessment of the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation Monitoring the client's urine output, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels Assessment of the client's activity tolerance and energy level Monitoring the client's potassium, sodium, and chloride levels
Assessment of the client's activity tolerance and energy level Explanation: The decrease in red cells that accompanies bone marrow suppression causes fatigue. Effects of bone marrow suppression on respiratory status, kidney function and electrolytes are not as common or direct, though many antineoplastics affect these domains.
A 49-year-old client is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. What is a characteristic of malignant cells that differentiates them from normal body cells? Cancerous cells grow in an uncontrollable fashion. Cancerous cells are not responsive to the presence of drugs. Cancerous cells do not require an energy source in order to proliferate. Cancerous cells have a theoretically infinite life span.
Cancerous cells grow in an uncontrollable fashion. Explanation: Malignant cells have lost the normal genetic regulation that controls cell growth, invading normal tissues and taking blood and nutrients away from these tissues. They grow in an uncontrolled fashion without regard to growth regulation signals (e.g., contact with other cells) that stop the growth of normal cells. Cancerous cells, like all cells, have a finite life span and need energy. Cancerous cells are responsive to drugs; this is the rationale for treatment with antineoplastics.
During which phase of the cell cycle would a nurse expect a mitotic inhibitor to act? G0 M G1 S
M Explanation: Mitotic inhibitors act during the M phase of the cell cycle.
A 39-year-old client has begun taking tamoxifen to reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer. The client is now reporting hot flashes and dysmenorrhea. What is the nurse's best action? Encourage the client to ask her provider about the possible use of dexrazoxane to relieve these effects. Inform the client that these are likely adverse effects of drug therapy. Encourage the client to speak with her care provider about hormone therapy. Tell the client to stop taking the drug immediately and contact the prescriber.
Inform the client that these are likely adverse effects of drug therapy. Explanation: Adverse effects of tamoxifen include hot flashes, rash, nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, menstrual irregularities, edema, pain, cerebrovascular accident, and pulmonary emboli. These effects do not likely warrant discontinuing the drug. Hormone therapy would not be prescribed for the sole purpose of addressing these adverse effects. Dexrazoxane confers cardioprotective effects; it does not address adverse effects of tamoxifen therapy.
How can a nurse best prevent tissue damage caused by an antineoplastic extravasation? Inspect the site frequently for redness or swelling Administer through a hand vein, if possible Use an infusion pump Infuse into proximal veins whenever possible
Inspect the site frequently for redness or swelling Explanation: Site inspection is a major intervention for preventing extravasation. Distal veins should be used. Small veins in the hand or wrist should be avoided. An infusion pump should be avoided because it can continue to administer the drug under pressure, leading to severe extravasation.
A 42-year-old female with breast cancer has had a radical mastectomy. She will have radiation therapy and then begin chemotherapy. Drug therapy will consist of a combination of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel. What will the nurse include in the teaching plan concerning the drug therapy? Take special care when shaving or brushing her teeth. Continue to go to church or to the mall just as she did before the diagnosis of cancer. Stay in bed 2 days after each administration. Stay on a low-fat diet during the course of the drug therapy.
Take special care when shaving or brushing her teeth. Explanation: Special care should be taken when shaving or brushing her teeth because she may bruise more easily than normal and gums may bleed. A cancer patient should not be on a diet during chemotherapy unless prescribed, and care should be taken to avoid crowds and public places where there is a greater risk of infection. Cancer patients should be as active, they should be careful not to over extend themselves physically, and they should remain active to promote optimal health.
A client asks the nurse why he has to have several courses of a chemotherapy drug instead of just one dose. The nurse states that it is based on the cell kill theory. Which of the following statements describes the cell kill theory? The cell kill theory describes the phenomenon that occurs during the life cycle of a cancer cell as it is treated with a chemotherapy medication. The cell kill theory describes the ways that different chemotherapy medications work to kill both healthy and cancerous cells within the human body. The cell kill theory is based on the premise that one dose of a chemotherapy drug will kill all the cancer cells if enough of the medication is given to a client. The cell kill theory describes the process of giving multiple doses of chemotherapy with each dose, killing approximately 90% of the cancer cells. The body's own immune system will kill the few cancer cells that are left.
The cell kill theory describes the process of giving multiple doses of chemotherapy with each dose, killing approximately 90% of the cancer cells. The body's own immune system will kill the few cancer cells that are left. Explanation: The cell kill theory describes the process of giving multiple doses of a chemotherapy medication. Each dose will in theory kill approximately 90% of the cancer cells. After several rounds of chemotherapy, there will be very few cancer cells left and the body's immune system will kill the few cancer cells remaining. The cell kill theory is based on multiple doses, not just one dose. The cell kill theory does not deal with killing healthy cells within the body, nor does it describe the life cycle of a cancer cell as it is treated with chemotherapy.
The client has just been started on an alkylating agent to treat testicular cancer. What assessment finding would suggest that the client is experiencing a common adverse effect of this medication? The client's most recent laboratory results indicate pancytopenia. The client describes his mood as "bleak" and "dark." The client is oriented to person but not to place and time. The client describes "bone pain" in his lumbar and thoracic spine.
The client's most recent laboratory results indicate pancytopenia. Explanation: Hematological effects include bone marrow suppression, with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and pancytopenia, secondary to the effects of the drugs on the rapidly multiplying cells of the bone marrow. Bone pain, depression, and disorientation are not common adverse effects of alkylating agents.
A 54-year-old received a diagnosis of breast cancer several weeks ago and her current treatment regimen includes tamoxifen, a cell cycle-nonspecific antineoplastic drug. What is a characteristic of a cell cycle-nonspecific drug? The drug is effective regardless of whether a cancerous cell is proliferating. The drug is capable of inducing cell division and subsequent mutations of cancerous cells. The drug induces an abnormal cell cycle that results in cancerous cell death. The drug is readily able to distinguish between normal body cells and malignant cells.
The drug is effective regardless of whether a cancerous cell is proliferating. Explanation: Cell cycle-nonspecific drugs act on cells in both the proliferative and the nonproliferative phases of the cell cycle. Cell cycle-nonspecific drugs can help recruit cells into a more actively dividing state, but they do not induce mutations. They are less able to distinguish between normal cells and malignant cells
What should the oncology nurse understand when administering a cell cycle-nonspecific chemotherapeutic agent about its effect? The drug has intermittent effectiveness throughout the cell cycle. The drug will be effective through all phases of the cell cycle. The drug will be effective through specific areas of the cell cycle. The drug is ineffective throughout all phases of the cell cycle.
The drug will be effective through all phases of the cell cycle. Explanation: Drugs that are effective through all phases of the cell cycle and not limited to a specific phase are classified as cell cycle-nonspecific.
A client with Hodgkin disease has been prescribed vincristine. What nursing consideration should the nurse prioritize when administering this drug? The nurse should encourage the client to eat six small meals a day. The nurse should check for extravasation when the infusion is over. The nurse should avoid using a distal vein. The nurse should avoid any skin, eye, or mucous membrane contact with the drug.
The nurse should avoid any skin, eye, or mucous membrane contact with the drug. Explanation: Special care needs to be taken when administering mitotic inhibitors. The nurse should avoid any skin, eye, or mucous membrane contact with the drug. This type of contact can cause serious reactions and toxicity for the nurse. The nurse should check for extravasation frequently during the infusion and not wait until the infusion is completed. A distal vein should be use. Nausea and vomiting are commonly experienced adverse effects of these drugs. Small meals may help the client to maintain adequate nutrition, but this is not the important concern when administering the drug.
A female client is prescribed methotrexate for meningeal leukemia. What health education should the nurse prioritize? Abstain from alcohol until 7 days after treatment. Avoid grapefruit juice. Discontinue oral contraceptives. Use reliable forms of barrier contraception.
Use reliable forms of barrier contraception. Explanation: Antimetabolites are contraindicated for use during pregnancy and lactation because of the potential for severe adverse effects on the fetus and neonate. There is no need to discontinue oral contraceptives, but barrier methods should also be used. There is no need to avoid grapefruit juice and prolonged abstinence from alcohol is not required.
An adult client who has been diagnosed with a rectal tumor is scheduled to begin treatment with cisplatin. The nurse has conducted client teaching about the possibility of nausea and vomiting. In order to reduce the client's risk of severe nausea, the nurse should: ensure that the client is NPO from midnight prior to receiving the drug. place the client on a low-residue diet. encourage the client to request antiemetics if the nausea becomes unbearable. administer a combination of antiemetics prior to the administration of the drug.
administer a combination of antiemetics prior to the administration of the drug. Explanation: Antiemetics should be administered proactively rather than waiting until the client's nausea becomes unbearable. A combination approach is often effective. A low-residue diet is unnecessary, and withholding food does not necessarily reduce nausea.
An adult client who has been diagnosed with a rectal tumor is scheduled to begin treatment with cisplatin. The nurse has conducted client teaching about the possibility of nausea and vomiting. In order to reduce the client's risk of severe nausea, the nurse should: place the client on a low-residue diet. administer a combination of antiemetics prior to the administration of the drug. encourage the client to request antiemetics if the nausea becomes unbearable. ensure that the client is NPO from midnight prior to receiving the drug.
administer a combination of antiemetics prior to the administration of the drug. Explanation: Antiemetics should be administered proactively rather than waiting until the client's nausea becomes unbearable. A combination approach is often effective. A low-residue diet is unnecessary, and withholding food does not necessarily reduce nausea.
An adult client who has been diagnosed with a rectal tumor is scheduled to begin treatment with cisplatin. The nurse has conducted client teaching about the possibility of nausea and vomiting. In order to reduce the client's risk of severe nausea, the nurse should: place the client on a low-residue diet. ensure that the client is NPO from midnight prior to receiving the drug. administer a combination of antiemetics prior to the administration of the drug. encourage the client to request antiemetics if the nausea becomes unbearable.
administer a combination of antiemetics prior to the administration of the drug. Explanation: Antiemetics should be administered proactively rather than waiting until the client's nausea becomes unbearable. A combination approach is often effective. A low-residue diet is unnecessary, and withholding food does not necessarily reduce nausea.
The nurse may be asked to administer which medications to a client to counteract the increase in uric acid and subsequent hyperuricemia resulting from the metabolic waste buildup from rapid tumor lysis? mesna amifostine allopurinol leucovorin
allopurinol Explanation: The nurse may be asked to administer allopurinol to a client to counteract the increase in uric acid and subsequent hyperuricemia resulting from the metabolic waste buildup from rapid tumor lysis. Amifostine binds with metabolites of cisplatin to protect the kidneys from nephrotoxic effects, and reduces xerostomia. Mesna binds with metabolites of ifosfamide to protect the bladder from hemorrhagic cystitis. Leucovorin provides folic acid to cells after methotrexate administration.
Many times a combination of antineoplastic medications are used to: increase the quantity of each medication used. decrease the development of cell resistance. increase the length of treatment. decrease the side effects of each medication.
decrease the development of cell resistance. Explanation: Malignant cells that remain in a dormant phase for long periods are difficult to destroy. These cells can emerge long after cancer treatment has finished—after weeks, months, or years—to begin their division and growth cycle all over again. For this reason, antineoplastic agents are often given in sequence over periods of time, in the hope that the drugs will affect the cancer cells as they emerge from dormancy or move into a new phase of the cell cycle. A combination of antineoplastic agents targeting different phases of the cell cycle is frequently most effective in treating many cancers. Combinations of drugs do not increase the length of treatment, increase the quantity of medication used, or decrease the adverse effects of the medications used.
Which herbal product has the benefits of overall well-being, cancer prevention, dental health, and maintenance of heart and liver health as a result of being loaded with antioxidants? green tea kava licorice ma huang
green tea Explanation: Green tea is the herbal product that has the benefits of overall well-being, cancer prevention, dental health, and maintenance of heart and liver health as a result of being loaded with antioxidants. Licorice is used to treat peptic ulcers, canker sores, and reflux (GERD). Also used for cough, asthma, and respiratory problems. Kava is used to treat anxiety, restlessness, stress, and insomnia. Ma huang is used to treat asthma, also used for weight loss.
