Question 1

A patient receiving interferon experiences confusion,somnolence,and aphasia.The nurse will perform which action?&#10;A) Discontinue the medication immediately.&#10;B) Inform the family that these symptoms may persist for years.&#10;C) Reassure the patient that these side effects are reversible.&#10;D) Request an order for lorazepam.

Accepted Answer

Neurologic side effects,such as confusion,somnolence,and aphasia,are reversible after the drug is stopped.It is not necessary to stop the medication unless the symptoms progress and become severe.Lorazepam is not indicated.

Question 2

A patient is receiving the erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA)epoetin alfa (Procrit).Which assessment finding would cause the nurse to notify the patient's provider?&#10;A) Blood pressure of 90/65 mm Hg&#10;B) Headache and nausea&#10;C) Hemoglobin >11 g/dL&#10;D) Infiltration of the IV

Accepted Answer

There is an increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular events when hemoglobin is greater than 11 g/dL.There is no need to notify the provider of the other findings.

Question 3

A patient is receiving bone marrow transplantation for cancer and receives filgrastim (Neupogen).The patient reports abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant.The nurse will perform which action?&#10;A) Administer acetaminophen 650 mg.&#10;B) Administer an antiemetic medication.&#10;C) Report a potentially life-threatening event.&#10;D) Request an order for cardiac enzyme levels.

Accepted Answer

Splenic rupture can occur with this drug and is manifested by pain in the left upper quadrant.The nurse should report the abdominal pain to the provider so the patient can be evaluated for splenic rupture.

Question 4

A patient who has cancer will begin treatment with a colony-stimulating factor.The patient verbalizes understanding of this drug's action with which statement?&#10;A) &#34;This drug allows higher doses of chemotherapy.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;This drug has antitumor activity.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;This drug has cytotoxic effects.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;This drug has antiviral effects.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Colony-stimulating factors permit the delivery of higher doses of drugs because they counter myelosuppression.They do not have antitumor activity,cytotoxic effects,or antiviral effects.

Question 5

The nurse is teaching a young adult patient who will begin receiving interferon.Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?&#10;A) &#34;I may have a low-grade fever while taking this medication.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;I may have serious cardiovascular side effects because of this drug.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;I should take antiemetics prior to each dose of this medication.&#10;D) &#34;I may need to avoid people who are sick while I'm taking this drug.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Antiemetics should be given prior to treatment to prevent nausea from occurring.Fevers are common and are usually high.Cardiovascular side effects tend to occur in older patients.Neutropenia is rare with interferon and does not predispose patients to infection.

Question 6

A patient is receiving interferon alpha (Roferon-A)subcutaneously.The patient experiences chills,fatigue,and malaise,and the nurse assesses a temperature of 102° F.The nurse will notify the provider of the temperature and will anticipate which order?

A) Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
B) Change to intravenous (IV) interferon alpha.
C) Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
D) Obtain a serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine level.

Accepted Answer

The major side effects of interferon are flulike symptoms with chills,fever,fatigue,malaise,and myalgia.Acetaminophen is given to treat this initially.Changing to an IV form does not alter the side effects.Diphenhydramine is given for nausea caused by interferon alpha.It is not necessary to obtain laboratory work when these symptoms initially occur.

Question 7

A patient with cancer is receiving aldesleukin.The patient reports black stools,which the nurse recognizes as&#10;A) a sign of cancer metastasis.&#10;B) an indication of gastrointestinal bleeding.&#10;C) caused by inadequate hydration.&#10;D) renal failure.

Accepted Answer

Black stools suggest gastrointestinal bleeding,an absolute contraindication for aldesleukin.It is not a sign of cancer metastasis,inadequate hydration,or renal failure.

Question 8

The nurse is preparing to administer interleukin-2 to a patient who has cancer.The patient reports shortness of breath.The nurse assesses clear breath sounds,a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute,a heart rate of 80 beats per minute,an oxygen saturation of 93% on room air,and a blood pressure of 92/68 mm Hg.The nurse will perform which action?

A) Administer the dose as ordered.
B) Administer oxygen while giving the dose.
C) Discuss permanently discontinuing this treatment with the provider.
D) Hold the dose and notify the provider.

Accepted Answer

Because of the pulmonary symptoms associated with interleukin-2,the drug should be held if the patient has an oxygen saturation <94% on room air.It may be given when the patient's oxygen saturation improves.The drug does not need to be permanently discontinued.

Question 9

Prior to administration of interferon alpha,the nurse will administer which medications?&#10;A) Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine&#10;B) Heparin and meperidine&#10;C) Lorazepam and furosemide&#10;D) Narcotic analgesics and loratadine

Accepted Answer

Patients receiving these drugs should be premedicated with acetaminophen to reduce chills and fever and with diphenhydramine to reduce nausea.

Question 10

A patient who is receiving cancer chemotherapy has been ordered to receive epoetin alfa (Procrit)150 units/kg 3 times weekly.The nurse reviews the patient's chart and notes a hemoglobin level of 10.1 g/dL.The nurse will perform which action?

A) Administer the medication as ordered.
B) Hold the dose and notify the provider.
C) Reduce the dose by 25%.
D) Request an order for an increased dose.

Accepted Answer

For patients receiving cancer chemotherapy,ESAs should not be initiated at a hemoglobin level greater than or equal to 11 g/dL.

Question 11

The nurse is preparing to give sargramostim to a patient who has acute myelogenous leukemia.The nurse assesses a heart rate of 78 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 120/70 mm Hg.The patient reports shortness of breath and has a cough and bilateral crackles.What will the nurse do next?

A) Contact the provider; discuss giving a lower dose.
B) Contact the pharmacist; request a bronchodilator.
C) Contact the pharmacist; request an order for furosemide.
D) Contact the provider; suggest administration of antibiotics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is preparing to give sargramostim...

Question 12

A patient has been receiving an ESA for 8 weeks.The nurse reviews the patient's chart and notes no increase in hemoglobin levels from 8 g/dL on week 3 of therapy.The nurse will request an order&#10;A) a complete blood count and serum iron levels.&#10;B) an increased dose of the ESA.&#10;C) more frequent dosing of the ESA.&#10;D) packed red blood cell infusions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has been receiving an ESA...

Deck 34: Biologic Response Modifiers