Chapter 47 & 54

A patient is to receive filgrastim (Neupogen) 5 mcg/kg/day. The patient weighs 198 pounds. Identify how many micrograms of medication will this patient receive each day.

450

A patient will be receiving aldesleukin [IL-2] (Proleukin), 600,000 IU/kg every 8 hours for 14 doses. The patient weighs 220 pounds. Identify how many IU of medication will this patient receive per dose.

60 mill IU

During interleukin drug therapy, a patient is showing signs of severe fluid retention, with increasing dyspnea and severe peripheral edema. The next dose of the interleukin is due now. Which action will the nurse take next? a. Hold the drug, and notify the prescriber. b. Give the drug, and notify the prescriber. c. Give the drug along with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). d. Monitor the patient for 2 hours, and then give the drug if the patient's condition improves.

ANS: A The fluid retention that may occur with interleukin therapy is reversible; if therapy is stopped, the prescriber must be notified. The other options are incorrect.

A patient will be taking oral iron supplements at home. The nurse will include which statements in the teaching plan for this patient? (Select all that apply.) a. Take the iron tablets with meals. b. Take the iron tablets on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals. c. Take the iron tablets with an antacid to prevent heartburn. d. Drink 8 ounces of milk with each iron dose. e. Taking iron supplements with orange juice enhances iron absorption. f. Stools may become loose and light in color. g. Stools may become black and tarry. h. Tablets may be crushed to enhance iron absorption.

ANS: A, E, G Iron tablets need to be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal distress, but antacids and milk interfere with absorption. Orange juice enhances the absorption of iron. Stools may become black and tarry in patients who are on iron supplements. Tablets need to be taken whole, not crushed, and the patient needs to be encouraged to eat foods high in iron.

A patient has been taking iron supplements for anemia for 2 months. During a follow-up assessment, the nurse will observe for which therapeutic response? a. Decreased weight b. Increased activity tolerance c. Decreased palpitations d. Increased appetite

ANS: B Absence of fatigue, increased activity tolerance and well-being, and improved nutrition status are therapeutic responses to iron supplementation. The other options are incorrect.

The nurse is administering intravenous iron dextran for the first time to a patient with anemia. After giving a test dose, how long will the nurse wait before administering the remaining portion of the dose? a. 30 minutes b. 1 hour c. 6 hours d. 24 hours

ANS: B Although anaphylactic reactions usually occur within a few moments after the test dose, it is recommended that a period of at least 1 hour elapse before the remaining portion of the initial dose is given. The other options are incorrect.

An oral iron supplement is prescribed for a patient. The nurse would question this order if the patient's medical history includes which condition? a. Decreased hemoglobin b. Hemolytic anemia c. Weakness d. Concurrent therapy with erythropoietics

ANS: B Hemolytic anemia is a contraindication to the use of iron supplements. Decreased hemoglobin and weakness are related to iron-deficiency anemia. Iron supplements are given with erythropoietic drugs to aid in the production of red blood cells.

A cancer patient is receiving drug therapy with epoetin alfa (Epogen). The nurse knows that the medication must be stopped if which laboratory result is noted? a. White blood cell count of 550 cells/mm3 b. Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL c. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L d. Glucose level of 78 mg/dL

ANS: B If epoetin is continued when hemoglobin levels are above 11 g/dL, patients may experience serious adverse events, including heart attack, stroke, and death. Guidelines now recommend that the drug be stopped when the hemoglobin level reaches 10 g/dL for cancer patients. For renal patients, the target hemoglobin level is 11 g/dL for patients on dialysis and 10 g/dL for chronic renal patients not on dialysis.

The nurse is administering liquid oral iron supplements. Which intervention is appropriate when administering this medication? a. Have the patient take the liquid iron with milk. b. Instruct the patient to take the medication through a plastic straw. c. Have the patient sip the medication slowly. d. Have the patient drink the medication, undiluted, from the unit-dose cup.

ANS: B Liquid oral forms of iron need to be taken through a plastic straw to avoid discoloration of tooth enamel. Milk may decrease absorption.

A patient has an order for the monoclonal antibody adalimumab (Humira). The nurse notes that the patient does not have a history of cancer. What is another possible reason for administering this drug? a. Severe anemia b. Rheumatoid arthritis c. Thrombocytopenia d. Osteoporosis

ANS: B Monoclonal antibodies are used for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, multiple sclerosis, and organ transplantation.

When monitoring a patient's response to interferon therapy, the nurse notes that the major dose-limiting factor for interferon therapy is which condition? a. Diarrhea b. Fatigue c. Anxiety d. Nausea and vomiting

ANS: B Patients who receive interferon therapy may experience flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, headache, malaise, myalgia, and fatigue. Fatigue is the major dose-limiting factor for interferon therapy. Patients taking high dosages become so exhausted that they are commonly confined to bed.

Abatacept (Orencia) is prescribed for a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse checks the patient's medical history, knowing that this medication would need to be used cautiously if which condition is present? a. Coronary artery disease b. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease c. Diabetes mellitus d. Hypertension

ANS: B Abatacept must be used cautiously in patients with recurrent infections or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The other options are incorrect.

During therapy with hematopoietic drugs, the nurse will monitor the patient for which adverse effects? (Select all that apply.) a. Hypotension b. Edema c. Diarrhea d. Black, tarry stools e. Nausea and vomiting f. Headache

ANS: B, C, E, F Potential adverse effects of hematopoietic drugs include edema, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea, fever, and headache. See Table 47-1 for a complete list. The other options are not adverse effects of these drugs.

A nurse is giving instructions to a patient who will be receiving oral iron supplements. Which instructions will be included in the teaching plan? a. Take the iron tablets with milk or antacids. b. Crush the pills as needed to help with swallowing. c. Take the iron tablets with meals if gastrointestinal distress occurs. d. If black tarry stools occur, report it to the doctor immediately.

ANS: C Although taking iron tablets with food may decrease absorption, doing so helps to reduce gastrointestinal distress. Antacids and milk may cause decreased iron absorption; iron tablets must be taken whole and not crushed. Black, tarry stools are expected adverse effects of oral iron supplements.

The nurse will teach a patient who is receiving oral iron supplements to watch for which expected adverse effects? a. Palpitations b. Drowsiness and dizziness c. Black, tarry stools d. Orange-red discoloration of the urine

ANS: C Black, tarry stools and other gastrointestinal disturbances may occur with the administration of iron preparations. The other options are incorrect.

A patient who has received chemotherapy has a steadily decreasing white blood cell count. The chemotherapy will end on Tuesday afternoon. The oncologist has mentioned that a colony-stimulating factor will be started soon. The nurse knows that the appropriate time to start this medication is when? a. While the patient is still receiving chemotherapy b. Two hours after the chemotherapy ends c. Wednesday afternoon, 24 hours after the chemotherapy ends d. In 2 to 4 days, after the white blood cells have reached their nadir

ANS: C Drugs that are given to enhance the activity of bone marrow cells interfere directly with the action of myelosuppressive cancer therapy. For this reason, therapy with colony-stimulating factors usually begins 24 hours after the chemotherapy has been completed.

A patient with end-stage renal failure has been admitted to the hospital for severe anemia. She is refusing blood transfusions. The nurse anticipates drug therapy with which drug to stimulate the production of red blood cells? a. Folic acid b. Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) c. Epoetin alfa (Epogen) d. Filgrastim (Neupogen)

ANS: C Epoetin alfa is a colony-stimulating factor that is responsible for erythropoiesis, or formation of red blood cells. The other options are incorrect.

During therapy with the hematopoietic drug epoetin alfa (Epogen), the nurse instructs the patient about adverse effects that may occur, such as: a. anxiety. b. drowsiness. c. hypertension. d. constipation.

ANS: C Hypertension is an adverse effect of hematopoietic drugs, along with headache, fever, pruritus, rash, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, cough, and injection site reaction. The other options are incorrect.

A patient is to receive iron dextran injections. Which technique is appropriate when the nurse is administering this medication? a. Intravenous administration mixed with 5% dextrose b. Intramuscular injection in the upper arm c. Intramuscular injection using the Z-track method d. Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen

ANS: C Intramuscular iron is given using the Z-track method deep into a large muscle mass. If given intravenously, it is given with normal saline, not 5% dextrose.

A patient asks about his cancer treatment with monoclonal antibodies. The nurse tells him that which is the major advantage of treating certain cancers with monoclonal antibodies? a. They will help the patient improve more quickly than will other antineoplastic drugs. b. They are more effective against metastatic tumors. c. Monoclonal antibodies target certain tumor cells and bypass normal cells. d. There are fewer incidences of opportunistic infections with monoclonal antibodies.

ANS: C Monoclonal antibodies can target cancer cells specifically and have minimal effects on healthy cells, unlike conventional cancer treatments. As a result, there are fewer adverse effects when compared to traditional antineoplastic therapy. The other options are incorrect. DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 755 TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A patient who has received chemotherapy has a critically low platelet count. The nurse expects which drug or drug class to be used to stimulate platelet cell production? a. Filgrastim (Neupogen) b. Interferons c. Oprelvekin (Neumega) d. Epoetin alfa (Epogen)

ANS: C Oprelvekin (Neumega) stimulates bone marrow cells, specifically megakaryocytes, which eventually form platelets. The other options are incorrect

Aldesleukin [IL-2] (Proleukin) is prescribed for a patient. The nurse reviews the patient's medication list and would note a potential drug interaction if which drug class is also ordered? a. Anticoagulants b. Antiepileptic drugs c. Oral hypoglycemic drugs d. Antihypertensive drugs

ANS: D Aldesleukin, when given with antihypertensives, can produce additive hypotensive effects. The other responses are incorrect.

A patient has been receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) for severe iron-deficiency anemia. Today, the provider changed the order to darbepoetin (Aranesp). The patient questions the nurse, "What is the difference in these drugs?" Which response by the nurse is correct? a. "There is no difference in these two drugs." b. "Aranesp works faster than Epogen to raise your red blood cell count." c. "Aranesp is given by mouth, so you will not need to have injections." d. "Aranesp is a longer-acting form, so you will receive fewer injections."

ANS: D Darbepoetin (Aranesp) is longer-acting than epoetin alfa (Epogen); therefore, fewer injections are required. The other options are incorrect.

The nurse is administering folic acid to a patient with a new diagnosis of anemia. Which statement about treatment with folic acid is true? a. Folic acid is used to treat any type of anemia. b. Folic acid is used to treat iron-deficiency anemia. c. Folic acid is used to treat pernicious anemia. d. The specific cause of the anemia needs to be determined before treatment.

ANS: D Folic acid should not be used to treat anemias until the underlying cause and type of anemia have been identified. Administering folic acid to a patient with pernicious anemia may correct the hematologic changes of anemia, but the symptoms of pernicious anemia (which is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency, not a folic acid deficiency) may be deceptively masked. The other options are incorrect. DIF:

The nurse is administering an interferon and will implement which intervention? a. Giving the medication with meals b. Monitoring daily weights c. Limiting fluids while the patient is taking this medication d. Rotating sites if administered subcutaneously

ANS: D Interferon is given parenterally (not orally), and injection sites need to be rotated. Fluids need to be increased during interferon therapy. The other options are incorrect.

The nurse is reviewing the medical record of a patient before giving a new order for iron sucrose (Venofer). Which statement regarding the administration of iron sucrose is correct? a. The medication is given with food to reduce gastric distress. b. Iron sucrose is contraindicated if the patient has renal disease. c. A test dose will be administered before the full dose is given. d. The nurse will monitor the patient for hypotension during the infusion.

ANS: D Iron sucrose (Venofer) is an injectable iron product indicated for the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in patients with chronic renal disease. It is also used for patients without kidney disease. Its risk of precipitating anaphylaxis is much less than that of iron dextran, and a test dose is not required. Hypotension is the most common adverse effect and appears to be related to infusion rate. Low-weight elderly patients appear to be at greatest risk for hypotension.

A woman who is planning to become pregnant should ensure that she receives adequate levels of which supplement to reduce the risk for fetal neural tube defects? a. Vitamin B12 b. Vitamin D c. Iron d. Folic acid

ANS: D It is recommended that administration of folic acid be begun at least 1 month before pregnancy and continue through early pregnancy to reduce the risk for fetal neural tube defects.

The nurse is teaching a patient with iron-deficiency anemia about foods to increase iron intake. Which food may enhance the absorption of oral iron forms? a. Milk b. Yogurt c. Antacids d. Orange juice .

ANS: D Orange juice contains ascorbic acid, which enhances the absorption of oral iron forms; antacids, milk, and yogurt may interfere with absorption

During a patient's therapy with interleukins, the nurse monitors the patient for capillary leak syndrome. Which assessment finding, if present, would indicate this problem? a. Bradycardia b. A dry cough c. Bruising on the skin d. A sudden, 15-pound weight gain

ANS: D With capillary leak syndrome, the capillaries lose their ability to retain vital colloids, and these substances migrate into the surrounding tissues, resulting in massive fluid retention. As a result, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and dysrhythmias may occur. The other options do not reflect capillary leak syndrome.

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Ch 54

ch 54