Question 1

A patient is receiving the antitumor antibiotic doxorubicin (Adriamycin)to treat lung cancer.The patient is experiencing shortness of breath and palpitations.The nurse is concerned that the patient has developed which condition?

Accepted Answer

Cardiotoxicity is a known adverse effect of this drug and is manifested in shortness of breath,edema,and palpitations.

Question 2

A woman who has advanced breast cancer will begin receiving androgen therapy.The nurse will explain to the patient that androgen therapy is used to

Accepted Answer

Androgen is used to treat breast cancer to promote regression of tumors.Other hormonal therapies are used in other circumstances to promote well-being and treat hot flashes.

Question 3

A patient who is about to begin chemotherapy asks the nurse when the risk of infection is highest.The nurse will tell the patient that infection risk is greatest at which point?

Accepted Answer

Following chemotherapy administration,the time at which the blood count,including white blood cells,is lowest is typically 7 to 10 days after treatment.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving a third dose of high-dose cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).The nurse notes hematuria.The nurse will notify the provider and will perform which action?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common adverse effect of high-dose cyclophosphamide and can be mitigated by increasing fluid intake.Allopurinol is given to treat gout,which is characterized by uric acid crystalluria.Darkening of the fingernails and skin is a common adverse effect of cyclophosphamide but is unrelated to hemorrhagic cystitis.

Question 5

The nurse is teaching a patient who will take oral cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

Even a low-grade temperature should be reported because it can indicate significant infection in immunocompromised patients.Patients should eat a low-purine diet while taking this medication.Patients should brush teeth and gums with a soft bristle toothbrush.Patients should take the medication early in the day to avoid accumulation in the bladder.

Question 6

A patient is receiving bleomycin (Blenoxane)as part of a chemotherapeutic regimen to treat leukemia.During IV administration of this drug,what will the nurse observe the patient closely for?

Accepted Answer

Bleomycin can cause anaphylaxis,so patients should be monitored for respiratory distress.Pain and blistering at the IV site is common to antitumor antibiotics,except for bleomycin.Urine color changes occur with doxorubicin.Vincristine causes hypotension and visual disturbances.

Question 7

An oncology home care nurse is preparing to administer a chemotherapeutic agent to a patient at the patient's home.What precautions will the nurse take while administering the IV chemotherapeutic agent?

Accepted Answer

Nurses should take precautions when handling cytotoxic drugs if inhalation,ingestion,or contact with skin and mucous membranes is possible.When hanging an IV solution,it is possible to splash solution onto the skin,so the nurse should wear a disposable,impermeable gown.If the nurse has to prepare a solution at home,a plastic-backed pad should be used as a surface.When there is a risk of aerosol exposure,a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirator is necessary.Surgical masks do not provide adequate respiratory protection.Surgical scrubs are permeable.

Question 8

A patient who has cancer is about to begin chemotherapy.The patient asks the nurse why two chemotherapeutic agents are being used instead of just one.Which response by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

Using two or more chemotherapeutic agents can have a synergistic effect.Combination therapy typically uses two drugs with different dose-limiting toxicities,but the use of more than one drug does not allow for using less toxic doses.Combination therapy allows cell kill in all phases of the cell cycle.Combination therapy does not shorten the length of time chemotherapy is needed.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving vincristine (Oncovin),a plant alkaloid chemotherapeutic agent,to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma.The nurse observes that the patient has difficulty walking.What action will the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral neuropathy can occur with this drug and is manifested by difficulty in walking and numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes.Orthostatic hypotension is not a side effect.Infection is always a concern,and regular evaluation of complete blood count and electrolytes is performed but not related to signs of peripheral neuropathy.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous (IV)mechlorethamine (Mustargen).The patient reports pain at the IV site,and the nurse assesses swelling and pallor at the site.What action will the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Mechlorethamine is a severe vesicant and can cause tissue necrosis if it infiltrates into the tissues.The nurse should stop the infusion.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)to treat pancreatic cancer.Which interventions are included in the nurse's plan of care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

If the patient reports pain at the IV site,the nurse should apply ice and notify the provider.Patients should use waxed dental floss to avoid bleeding of the gums.Advise patient not to visit anyone who has a respiratory infection.Ice chips help with oral pain.Antiemetics should be given prior to administration of the drug.Patients do not need to be nothing per os (NPO)during the IV infusion.

Question 12

The nurse is teaching a patient who is receiving vincristine (Oncovin)about long-term management of the treatment regimen.Which information will the nurse provide in teaching the patient?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty buttoning clothing is a sign of peripheral neuropathy and should be reported.Numbness of hands may resolve after chemotherapy is stopped,but it may never resolve.If the IV infiltrates,the infusion should be stopped and the needle left in until attempts to aspirate residual vesicant are performed.Antinausea medication should be given prior to beginning the infusion.

Quiz 32: Anticancer Drugs

A patient is receiving the antitumor antibiotic doxorubicin (Adriamycin) to treat lung cancer.The patient is experiencing shortness of breath and palpitations.The nurse is concerned that the patient has developed which condition?

A woman who has advanced breast cancer will begin receiving androgen therapy.The nurse will explain to the patient that androgen therapy is used to

A patient who is about to begin chemotherapy asks the nurse when the risk of infection is highest.The nurse will tell the patient that infection risk is greatest at which point?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving a third dose of high-dose cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) .The nurse notes hematuria.The nurse will notify the provider and will perform which action?

The nurse is teaching a patient who will take oral cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) .Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

A patient is receiving bleomycin (Blenoxane) as part of a chemotherapeutic regimen to treat leukemia.During IV administration of this drug,what will the nurse observe the patient closely for?

An oncology home care nurse is preparing to administer a chemotherapeutic agent to a patient at the patient's home.What precautions will the nurse take while administering the IV chemotherapeutic agent?

A patient who has cancer is about to begin chemotherapy.The patient asks the nurse why two chemotherapeutic agents are being used instead of just one.Which response by the nurse is correct?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving vincristine (Oncovin) ,a plant alkaloid chemotherapeutic agent,to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma.The nurse observes that the patient has difficulty walking.What action will the nurse take?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous (IV) mechlorethamine (Mustargen) .The patient reports pain at the IV site,and the nurse assesses swelling and pallor at the site.What action will the nurse take?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to treat pancreatic cancer.Which interventions are included in the nurse's plan of care for this patient?

The nurse is teaching a patient who is receiving vincristine (Oncovin) about long-term management of the treatment regimen.Which information will the nurse provide in teaching the patient?