Question 1

The nurse is preparing to administer intravenous temsirolimus (Torisel). To prevent a common adverse drug effect, the nurse will expect to administer which type of drug?&#10;A) An antibiotic&#10;B) An anticoagulant&#10;C) An antiemetic&#10;D) An antihistamine

Accepted Answer

Temsirolimus can cause hypersensitivity reactions, so an antihistamine is often administered to prevent these reactions.

Question 2

The nurse is performing a history on a patient who will begin taking bevacizumab (Avastin). Which aspect of the patient's history should be reported to the oncologist treating this patient?&#10;A) History of hepatitis&#10;B) Hypertension&#10;C) Recent treatment for a GI obstruction&#10;D) Weight loss

Accepted Answer

Bevacizumab can impair wound healing and increase the risk of gastrointestinal perforation, so a recent treatment for a GI obstruction is a significant concern that should be reported.

Question 3

A patient who is taking the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib (Sutent) calls to report red, painful, and swollen palms and soles of feet. The nurse will perform which action?&#10;A) Notify the patient's provider of this adverse reaction.&#10;B) Reassure the patient that these are common side effects.&#10;C) Recommend taking acetaminophen for discomfort.&#10;D) Suggest taking diphenhydramine to help with the swelling.

Accepted Answer

The redness, pain, and swelling in the palms and soles of the feet are symptoms of hand-foot syndrome (HFS), a common side effect of sunitinib. However, it is important for the nurse to notify the prescriber, as HFS may require a dose reduction or temporary interruption of sunitinib therapy. The nurse should also provide the patient with comfort measures as appropriate.

Question 4

The nurse performs a medication history on a patient who will begin targeted therapy for cancer with gefitinib (Iressa). The nurse learns that the patient is taking carbamazepine, a histamine₂ blocker, and warfarin. The nurse will anticipate that the provider will make which change to the medication regimen?

A) decrease the gefitinib dose.
B) decrease the warfarin dose.
C) increase the histamine₂ blocker dose.
D) increase the carbamazepine dose.

Accepted Answer

Warfarin is a medication that affects blood clotting, and gefitinib can increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, the provider may decrease the warfarin dose to decrease the risk of bleeding. The other options are not appropriate because they do not address the potential drug interactions between these medications.

Question 5

Which of the following agents is NOT an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor?&#10;A) Alectinib&#10;B) Erlotinib&#10;C) Gefitinib&#10;D) Osimertinib

Accepted Answer

Alectinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) rather than EGFR. Erlotinib, Gefitinib, and Osimertinib are all EGFR inhibitors used to treat certain types of cancer.

Question 6

The patient asks the nurse what apoptosis means. The nurse will explain that apoptosis refers to:&#10;A) alteration of cellular functions.&#10;B) inhibition of cell division.&#10;C) prevention of cell phase progression.&#10;D) slow, planned cellular death.

Accepted Answer

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death, where cells die off in a controlled and planned manner, unlike necrosis, which is unplanned cell death caused by injury or disease.

Question 7

The nurse is teaching a patient who will begin receiving targeted therapy for cancer. The patient asks how targeted therapy differs from other types of chemotherapies. The nurse will explain that targeted therapy:

A) damages cancer cell DNA to prevent cell replication.
B) directly kills or damages cancerous cells.
C) interferes with specific molecules in cancer cells.
D) prevents metastasis of cancer cells.

Accepted Answer

Targeted therapy interferes with specific molecules in cancer cells, while other types of chemotherapy may damage healthy cells along with cancerous cells or directly kill or damage cancerous cells. Some chemotherapy drugs may also damage cancer cell DNA to prevent cell replication, but targeted therapy specifically targets certain molecules that are necessary for cancer cell growth and survival. Targeted therapy may also help prevent metastasis by inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Question 8

A patient who has metastatic colorectal cancer tells the nurse that a cousin who had colorectal cancer received bevacizumab (Avastin) and wonders how the drug works. The nurse will explain that bevacizumab works by targeting which of the following?

A) HER2 receptors.
B) epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase.
C) the BRCA1 suppressor gene.
D) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins.

Accepted Answer

Bevacizumab targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins. As a result, it blocks the formation of new blood vessels that provide nutrients to tumors. This can help to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells in the body.

Question 9

What action is most important for the nurse to teach the patient taking imatinib?&#10;A) &#34;The medication will cause the stool to be black; do not worry about that.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;Acetaminophen can be used for headaches.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;Limit your fluid intake to 1 liter each day.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Be diligent about using birth control while you are on this medication.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Imatinib can cause harm to a developing fetus, so it is important for the nurse to teach the patient to use effective birth control while taking the medication. Option A is incorrect because black stool can be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding and should be reported to the healthcare provider. Option B is incorrect because acetaminophen should not be used without first consulting with the healthcare provider. Option C is also incorrect because imatinib can cause fluid retention, so it is important for the patient to drink plenty of fluids unless specifically instructed otherwise by their healthcare provider.

Deck 33: Targeted Therapies to Treat Cancer