Deck 45: Antineoplastic Drugs Part 1: Cancer Overview and Cell Cycle-Specific Drugs

Question 1

A patient is receiving her third course of 5-fluorouracil therapy and knows that stomatitis is a potential adverse effect of antineoplastic therapy. What will the nurse teach her about managing this problem?

A) "You can take aspirin to prevent stomatitis."
B) "Be sure to watch for and report black, tarry stools immediately."
C) "You need to increase your intake of foods containing fiber and citric acid."
D) "Be sure to examine your mouth daily for bleeding, painful areas, and ulcerations."

Answer 1

"Be sure to examine your mouth daily for bleeding, painful areas, and ulcerations."

Question 2

A patient, diagnosed with lymphoma, has an allergy to one of the proposed chemotherapy drugs. The tumor has not responded to other types of treatment. The nurse expects the oncologist to follow which course of treatment?

A) The physician will choose another drug to use.
B) The chemotherapy will be given along with supportive measures to treat a possible allergic reaction.
C) The patient will receive reduced doses of chemotherapy for a longer period of time.
D) The chemotherapy cannot be given because of the patient's allergy.

Answer 2

The chemotherapy will be given along with supportive measures to treat a possible allergic reaction.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching about infection-prevention measures with a patient who is receiving antineoplastic drug therapy. During a Teach-Back session, which statement by the patient indicates the need for further education?

A) "I will avoid those who have recently had a vaccination."
B) "I will eat only fresh fruits and raw vegetables."
C) "I will report a sore throat, cough, or low-grade temperature."
D) "It is important for both my family and me to practice good handwashing."

Answer 3

"I will eat only fresh fruits and raw vegetables."

Question 4

Methotrexate is ordered for a patient with a malignant tumor, and the nurse is providing education about self-care after the chemotherapy is given. Which statements by the nurse are appropriate for the patient receiving methotrexate?

A) Report unusual bleeding or bruising.
B) Hair loss is not expected with this drug.
C) Prepare for hair loss.
D) Avoid areas with large crowds or gatherings.
E) Avoid foods that are too hot or too cold or rough in texture.
F) Restrict fluid intake to reduce nausea and vomiting.

Question 5

One patient has cancer of the bone; another has cancer in the connective tissues of the thigh muscles; a third patient has cancer in the vascular tissues. Which of these is the correct term for these tumors?

A) Sarcoma
B) Leukemia
C) Carcinoma
D) Lymphoma

Question 6

The nurse is monitoring a patient who has severe bone marrow suppression following antineoplastic drug therapy. Which is considered a principal early sign of infection?

A) Fever
B) Diaphoresis
C) Tachycardia
D) Elevated white blood cell count

Question 7

During treatment of a patient who has brain cancer, the nurse hears the oncologist mention that the patient has reached the "nadir." The nurse knows that this term means which of these?

A) The lowest level of neutrophils reached during therapy.
B) The highest level of neutrophils reached during therapy.
C) The point at which the adverse effects of chemotherapy will stop.
D) The point at which the cytotoxic action against cancer cells is the highest.

Question 8

A patient is to receive a daily dose of fludarabine (Fludara), 25 mg/m²/day for 5 consecutive days. Each dose is diluted in a 125-mL bag of normal saline and is to infuse over 30 minutes. The nurse will set the infusion pump to what rate in milliliters per hour? _______

Question 9

A patient who has been on methotrexate therapy is experiencing mild pain. The patient is asking for aspirin for the pain. The nurse recognizes that which of these is true in this situation?

A) The aspirin will aggravate diarrhea.
B) The aspirin will mask signs of infection.
C) Aspirin can lead to methotrexate toxicity.
D) The aspirin will cause no problems for the patient on methotrexate.

Question 10

A patient is receiving high doses of methotrexate and is experiencing severe bone marrow suppression. The nurse expects which intervention to be ordered with this drug to reduce this problem?

A) A transfusion of whole blood
B) Leucovorin rescue
C) Therapy with filgrastim (Neupogen)
D) Administration of allopurinol (Zyloprim)

Question 11

When giving chemotherapy as cancer treatment, the nurse recognizes that toxicity to rapidly growing normal cells also occurs. Which rapidly growing normal cells are also harmed by chemotherapy?

A) Bone marrow cells
B) Retinal cells
C) Hair follicle cells
D) Nerve myelin cells
E) Gastrointestinal (GI) mucous membrane cells

Question 12

A patient is receiving irinotecan (Camptosar), along with other antineoplastic drugs, as treatment for ovarian cancer. The nurse will monitor for which potentially life-threatening adverse effect that is associated with this drug?

A) Severe stomatitis
B) Bone marrow suppression
C) Delayed-onset cholinergic diarrhea
D) Immediate and severe nausea and vomiting

Question 13

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient who is experiencing gastrointestinal adverse effects, including anorexia and nausea, after the first course of antineoplastic therapy. What is an appropriate outcome for this patient when dealing with this problem?

A) The patient will eat three balanced meals a day within 2 days.
B) The patient will return to normal eating pattern within 4 weeks.
C) The patient will maintain normal weight by consuming healthy snacks as tolerated.
D) The patient will maintain a diet of small, frequent feedings with nutrition supplements during therapy.

Question 14

The nurse is evaluating the laboratory results of a patient who has received chemotherapy. The loss of which blood cell leads to lack of energy, fatigue, intolerance of activity and hypoxemia?

A) White blood cells
B) Red blood cells
C) Platelets
D) Albumin