Deck 103: Anticancer Drugs 2: F Hormonal Agents, Targeted Drugs, and Other Noncytotoxic Anticancer Drugs

Question 1

A 43-year-old patient with a strong family history of breast cancer considers taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for cancer prevention. Which assessment finding is a possible contraindication?

A) History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
B) History of osteoporosis
C) Hyperlipidemia
D) Prior hysterectomy

Answer 1

History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Question 2

A patient with advanced prostate cancer will begin treatment with leuprolide (Lupron). The provider has ordered flutamide to be given as adjunct therapy. The patient asks the nurse why both drugs are necessary. The nurse will tell the patient that:

A) flutamide reduces the side effects, such as hot flushes, caused by leuprolide.
B) flutamide suppresses initial tumor flare caused by leuprolide.
C) leuprolide helps to reduce the toxicity of flutamide.
D) the combination of both drugs increases cancer survival.

Answer 2

flutamide suppresses initial tumor flare caused by leuprolide.

Question 3

A nurse is preparing to administer a second infusion of trastuzumab (Herceptin) to a patient who has breast cancer. The patient tells the nurse that she experienced chills, fever, pain, and nausea after her first infusion. What will the nurse do?

A) Contact the provider to request a CBC to assess for neutropenia.
B) Ensure that oxygen and respiratory support measures are readily available.
C) Reassure the patient that these symptoms will diminish with each infusion.
D) Request an order for an electrocardiogram.

Answer 3

Reassure the patient that these symptoms will diminish with each infusion.

Question 4

The nurse would be correct to state that the purpose of angiogenesis inhibitors is to:

A) kill existing cancer cells directly.
B) suppress the formation of new blood vessels in tumors.
C) enhance the size of collateral vessels.
D) enhance red cell development in the bone marrow.

Question 5

A 45-year-old patient with a family history of breast cancer is considering using tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for cancer prevention. The nurse performs a health history and learns that the woman had a child when she was 35 years old, that she has not had a hysterectomy, and that she experienced DVT when she was pregnant. What will the nurse tell the patient?

A) Because of her family risk and late childbearing, this drug is a good choice for her.
B) Her history of DVT outweighs any possible benefits she may have with this drug.
C) Since she has not had a hysterectomy, the risk of endometrial cancer is too great.
D) When she turns 50 years old, this drug will carry fewer risks for her.

Question 6

A nursing student asks the nurse what differentiates antiestrogen drugs from aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of breast cancer. What is the correct response by the nurse?

A) Antiestrogen drugs decrease the risk for thromboembolic events.
B) Antiestrogen drugs increase the risk for endometrial cancer.
C) Aromatase inhibitors block the production of estrogen by the ovaries.
D) Aromatase inhibitors can be used for tumor cells that lack estrogen receptors.

Question 7

A patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) begins treatment with imatinib (Gleevec). Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of this medication?

A) "Resistance to this drug may develop over time."
B) "The intensity of side effects is dose dependent."
C) "This drug does not have significant drug interactions."
D) "This drug must be given intravenously."

Question 8

A patient with advanced cancer of the prostate begins treatment with leuprolide (Lupron Depot) injections and will receive 7.5 mg IM once per month. After the first injection, the patient experiences an increase in cancer symptoms. What will the nurse tell the patient?

A) Desensitization to the drug over time will result in a decrease in these symptoms.
B) The dose of leuprolide may have to be increased to 22.5 mg per month.
C) These symptoms indicate a need for surgical castration to treat the cancer.
D) This is a sign that the patient's cancer is getting worse.

Question 9

A premenopausal woman has ER-positive breast cancer, and her prescriber has ordered tamoxifen (Nolvadex). She asks the nurse if anastrozole (Arimedex) would work better for her. What will the nurse tell her?

A) Anastrozole is more likely to cause hot flushes than tamoxifen.
B) Anastrozole is more likely to promote endometrial carcinoma.
C) Cancer recurrence is higher with anastrozole.
D) Until she is postmenopausal, anastrozole will not be effective.

Question 10

A patient will begin taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex) to treat breast cancer. The nurse performs a medication history and learns that the patient is taking sertraline (Zoloft) for depression. The nurse will tell the patient to contact her provider to ask about:

A) increasing her dose of sertraline.
B) changing from sertraline to escitalopram (Lexapro).
C) switching from sertraline to fluoxetine (Prozac).
D) decreasing her dose of tamoxifen.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient in the oncology unit who was recently diagnosed with advanced renal carcinoma. The nurse prepares to administer aldesleukin (Proleukin) as part of the treatment regimen. What is the primary adverse effect of this drug?

A) Hypertension
B) Capillary leakage syndrome
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Hyperuricemia

Question 12

A patient with colorectal cancer is admitted to the hospital oncology unit to receive cetuximab (Erbitux). The nurse notes that the prescriber has not ordered any other medications. The nurse will contact the prescriber to request an order for which medication in order to minimize cetuximab's side effects?

A) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B) Epinephrine
C) Ondansetron (Zofran)
D) Magnesium supplements