Deck 43: Drugs Used to Treat Cancer

Question 1

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

A) Increased respiratory rate and cough
B) Weight gain and peripheral edema
C) Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
D) Lethargy and orthostatic hypotension

Answer 1

Increased respiratory rate and cough

Question 2

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

A) eliminating spicy foods.
B) eating low-protein foods.
C) implementing a high-roughage diet.
D) eating high-fat foods.

Answer 2

eliminating spicy foods.

Question 3

Which treatment(s)may be used alone or in combination for the treatment of cancer?

A) Surgery
B) Radiation
C) Chemotherapy
D) Immunotherapy
E) Phlebotomy

Answer 3

Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy

Question 4

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

A) "Combination chemotherapy is the administration of an antineoplastic drug that will be toxic during a specific phase of cellular growth."
B) "Combination chemotherapy is the administration of an antineoplastic drug that is active throughout the cell cycle."
C) "Combination chemotherapy is the administration of antineoplastic drugs that change the way the body responds to cancer or strengthens the immune system."
D) "Combination chemotherapy is the administration of antineoplastic drugs, which results in cell death during different phases of the cell cycle."

Question 5

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)

A) plastic medication cup.
B) medicine dropper.
C) subcutaneous needle and syringe.
D) intramuscular (IM) needle and syringe.

Question 6

When are cancer cells most sensitive to chemotherapy?

A) Resting phases
B) Rapid division
C) Remission intervals
D) Slow replication

Question 7

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?

A) "I will shave with an electric razor."
B) "I will take aspirin for a headache."
C) "I will wash my laundry separate from other family members."
D) "I will flush the toilet twice after using."

Question 8

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

A) S phase
B) Mitotic phase
C) Phase G₁
D) Phase G₀

Question 9

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

A) Paresthesia
B) Euphoria
C) Nausea
D) Hallucinations

Question 10

When educating the patient on chemotherapy regarding skin care,the nurse will include

A) vigorously drying the skin with a bath towel.
B) avoiding sunlight.
C) using mild soap.
D) avoiding moisturizer.
E) bathing in lukewarm water.

Question 11

Which sign(s)and symptom(s)assessed by the nurse would indicate thrombocytopenia?

A) Pinpoint red rash
B) Casts in urine
C) Brown, fatty stools
D) Increase in menstrual flow
E) Coffee-ground emesis

Question 12

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

A) Decrease the gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity resulting from chemotherapeutic agents
B) Suppress the immune response
C) Work as an antiemetic and stimulate his appetite
D) Increase the white blood cell (WBC) counts

Question 13

Why is a patient with prostate cancer prescribed an estrogen?

A) To achieve hormonal balance
B) To decrease the rate of production for malignant cells
C) To soften prostatic tissue
D) To suppress prostate gland function

Question 14

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

A) To increase uptake of the chemotherapy from the interior of the bones
B) To strengthen bones weakened by pathologic processes
C) To enhance the patient's immune system during treatment
D) To protect the bone marrow from destructive actions from the cancer treatment

Question 15

Major chemotherapeutic agents include

A) alkylating agents.
B) antineoplastic antibiotics.
C) hormones.
D) antimetabolites.
E) antinuclear antibodies.
F) chelating agents.

Question 16

Which nursing consideration(s)would be taken into account prior to the administration of cisplatin IV?

A) Review of laboratory data for presence of myelosuppression and hepatic and renal parameters
B) Administration of IV hydration as prescribed
C) Administration of epoetin alfa (Epogen)
D) Administration of prechemotherapy mesna (Mesnex)
E) Assessment for dermatologic conditions

Question 17

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

A) Decreased nausea and vomiting
B) Increased effectiveness of the chemotherapy
C) Maintenance of body weight
D) Decreased renal toxicity

Question 18

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

A) Ongoing proliferation of neoplastic tissue
B) The known cellular kinetics of the neoplasm
C) The hormonal requirements of the patient
D) The body's response in strengthening the immune system

Question 19

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

A) Decreased expense and time needed for administration
B) Decreased toxicity to patients and the nurses who administer the drug
C) Increased cell death in various cycles and decreased toxicity
D) Increased rate of treatment success