Question 1

What is the advantage of combination therapy using cell cycle-specific and cell cycle-nonspecific agents?

Accepted Answer

Combination therapy is far superior to the use of single agent therapy.The use of a cell cycle-specific and cell cycle-nonspecific agent together facilitates cell death during different phases of the cell cycle.Combination therapy is not more economical or faster.Combination therapy is not less toxic because it exposes patients and nurses to additional medications.The use of combination drug therapy allows for cell death during different phases of the cell cycle, but the agents often have toxic effects on different organs at different time intervals after administration.

Question 2

Why are bone marrow stimulants used in the treatment of cancer?

Accepted Answer

Bone marrow stimulants trigger the recovery of bone marrow cells several days earlier than would be the natural course of recovery.The major benefit to this earlier recovery is that patients' immune systems are able to respond to and stop infections from being so pathologic, and patients can be released from the isolation room several days earlier.Bone marrow stimulants do not increase uptake of drugs, strengthen bones, or protect the bone marrow from destructive effects of chemotherapy or radiation.

Question 3

The nurse is providing education about chemotherapy to a patient who is being discharged.Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

Accepted Answer

Patients should not take any aspirin or aspirin containing products.Shaving with an electric razor is preferable for a patient undergoing chemotherapy because of the decreased risk of bleeding.The clothing of the chemotherapy patient should be washed separately from other household linens.Because most chemotherapeutic agents are excreted in the urine and feces, it is best to flush the toilet two or three times.

Question 4

The nurse is preparing to administer medroxyprogesterone acetate as prescribed to a patient diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma.When gathering supplies to provide this medication, the nurse will obtain a(n):

Accepted Answer

Medroxyprogesterone is ordered at 400-1000 mg IM per week.

Question 5

The cell cycle-specific agent vincristine sulphate (Oncovin) acts in which phase of the cell's life cycle?

Accepted Answer

Vinca alkaloids block the formation of the mitotic spindle during mitosis, thus inhibiting cell division.The S phase is the stage of active synthesis of two sets of DNA.Phase G₁ is considered a presynthetic phase in which the cell prepares for DNA synthesis by manufacturing necessary enzymes.G₀ is the largest variable in the cell cycle and, during this resting phase, the cell is not actively replicating.

Question 6

Which treatment(s) may be used alone or in combination for the treatment of cancer? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Treatment of cancer often requires surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy.Phlebotomy does not treat cancer cells.

Question 7

The nurse is educating a patient with cancer about combination chemotherapy.Which is an accurate statement?

Accepted Answer

Use of combination drug therapy is superior in therapeutic effect to the use of single agent chemotherapy.

Question 8

What is the importance of correlating the dosage schedule with cell cycle-specific drug therapy?

Accepted Answer

Cell cycle-specific agent scheduling should be correlated with the known cellular kinetics of the particular type of neoplasm being treated.This type of drug is schedule dependent and selectively toxic when the cell is in a specific phase of growth.The object of chemotherapy is to stop the proliferation of neoplastic tissue.Hormones are only used in specific types of cancer and are not related to cell cycle specificity.Immunomodulators are used to enhance the body's response in strengthening the immune system.

Question 9

Why is a patient with prostate cancer prescribed an estrogen?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen therapy is used during the treatment of prostate cancer to decrease the rate of production of malignant cells.The use of female hormones decreases the amount of male hormones available for use by the cancer cells.Estrogen is not given for hormonal balance, does not soften prostatic tissue, and does not suppress prostate gland function.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with breast cancer.The patient reports that she has been experiencing frequent watery stools following chemotherapy treatment.When educating the patient regarding dietary guidelines to help relieve symptoms the nurse will encourage:

Accepted Answer

Elimination of spicy foods should be encouraged for the patient experiencing diarrhea resulting from chemotherapy.High protein foods, a diet low in roughage, and a diet with low fat foods should be encouraged for the patient experiencing diarrhea resulting from chemotherapy.

Question 11

Major chemotherapeutic agents include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Alkylating agents, antineoplastic antibiotics, hormones, and antimetabolites are considered major chemotherapeutic agents.Antinuclear antibodies are antibodies produced by the immune system that attack the body's own tissues instead of foreign toxins.They are frequently present in people with systemic lupus erythematosus and, less commonly, in other diseases.Chelating agents are used to detoxify a patient from heavy metal poisoning.

Question 12

Which nursing consideration(s) would be taken into account prior to the administration of cisplatin IV? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Premedication nursing considerations regarding cisplatin, an alkylating agent, include checking laboratory reports for baseline data reflecting hepatic and renal function and baseline hematologic studies that reflect the degree of myelosuppression present before initiating chemotherapy, assessing patient hydration and the health care provider's orders for oral and IV hydration instructions before drug therapy, and administering prechemotherapy drugs including mesna, ondansetron, and antianxiety drugs.Epogen is given to treat anemia associated with chemotherapy; it is not given before administration of chemotherapy.Dermatologic assessment is not necessary before administering cisplatin.

Question 13

Which sign(s) and symptom(s) assessed by the nurse would indicate thrombocytopenia? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Pinpoint red rash, an increase in menstrual flow, and coffee ground emesis indicate thrombocytopenia, which causes an increased tendency to bleed.Thrombocytopenia may cause hematuria and dark, tarry stools.

Question 14

When educating the patient on chemotherapy regarding skin care, the nurse will include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The need to avoid sunlight should be stressed to avoid a photosensitive reaction.The patient should bathe in lukewarm water and use mild soap.Skin should be gently patted dry.Use of skin moisturizer should be discussed with the physician.

Question 15

When are cancer cells most sensitive to chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

The cancer cells are the most sensitive to chemotherapy when the cells are dividing rapidly.Cancer cells are not sensitive to chemotherapy during resting phases, remission intervals, or slow replication.

Question 16

Which assessment by the nurse would be a sign of neurotoxicity related to chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Signs and symptoms of neurotoxicity include numbness and tingling in extremities, confusion, changes in gait, and motor weakness.Euphoria, nausea, and hallucinations are not signs of neurotoxicity related to chemotherapy.

Question 17

Which symptom is the patient who is receiving bleomycin (Blenoxane) therapy most likely to exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Compromised respiratory function may occur in patients receiving bleomycin therapy.Increased respiratory rate and cough can be signs that further problems are developing, such as heart failure.Bleomycin does not cause weight gain, peripheral edema, numbness and tingling of hands and feet, lethargy, or orthostatic hypotension.

Question 18

What is the purpose of administering filgrastim (Neupogen) to a patient who is post-bowel resection resulting from cancer?

Accepted Answer

Filgrastim works to stimulate WBC production and decrease the incidence of infection.Filgrastim is a colony stimulating factor, which stimulates WBC proliferation and maturation.It is particularly helpful for patients prone to neutropenia resulting from cancer therapy.Filgrastim does not affect GI toxicity, suppress immune response (it works to enhance it), or affect appetite or nausea.

Question 19

What is the intended outcome of the chemoprotective drug amifostine (Ethyol)?

Accepted Answer

Amifostine is used to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity associated with the repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.Chemoprotective drugs do not decrease nausea and vomiting, enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment, or help prevent weight loss.

Quiz 44: Drugs Used for Cancer Treatment