Question 1

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 differs from traditional cancer chemotherapy by taking advantage of biologic features particular to cancer cells and targeting specific mechanisms.They block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules within the cancer cells.Traditional chemotherapeutic agents damage cell DNA of cancer cells as well as normal cells.Targeted therapies do not directly kill or damage cancer cells or prevent metastasis.

Question 2

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

Women should avoid pregnancy throughout treatment and for up to 12 months after treatment is complete.Black stools should be reported immediately.Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver and should be avoided while on this drug.Fluids are encouraged.

Question 3

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 surgical history&#10;D) Weight loss

Accepted Answer

Bevacizumab carries a boxed warning for gastrointestinal perforations,wound dehiscence,impaired wound healing,hemorrhage,and fistula formation after surgery.The drug should not be used within 28 days after major surgery.

Question 4

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 nurse should notify the provider if the patient reports these symptoms,since they may indicate erythrodysesthesia.Reassuring the patient or recommending over-the-counter treatments is not indicated.

Question 5

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

When patients taking warfarin take gefitinib,the effectiveness of the warfarin is greatly increased,and bleeding risks increase.Carbamazepine and histamine₂ blockers decrease the effectiveness of gefitinib,so decreasing the gefitinib dose or decreasing the carbamazepine or histamine₂ blocker is not recommended.

Question 6

A patient who has metastatic colorectal cancer tells the nurse that a cousin who had colorectal cancer received bevacizumab (Avastin)and wonders why this drug is not given to her.The nurse will explain that her cancer cells do not have

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

Accepted Answer

Bevacizumab acts by blocking VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor); blocking VEGF may prevent the growth of new blood vessels,including those that may feed the tumor.Gefitinib is used when epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-TK are present.Trastuzumab is used when significant HERS receptors are present.

Question 7

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

Hypersensitivity reactions to temsirolimus are common,and pretreatment with antihistamines is recommended.Other drugs are given as needed but not prophylactically.

Question 8

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 programmed cell death,designed to ensure that tissues contain only healthy and optimally functional cells.

Question 9

The nurse is preparing to administer intravenous monoclonal antibodies to a patient who has cancer.What is an important nursing action for this patient?&#10;A) Having resuscitation equipment readily available&#10;B) Monitoring the patient's renal function during the infusion&#10;C) Observing the patient closely for development of a rash&#10;D) Performing careful intake and output

Accepted Answer

When administering monoclonal antibodies intravenously,resuscitation equipment should be nearby,and nurses should stay with the patient for the first 15 minutes of the infusion.

Deck 33: Targeted Therapies to Treat Cancer