Deck 37: Anticancer Drugs

Question 1

The client is receiving chemotherapy while remaining in the home setting. To ensure that caregivers properly dispose of body fluids while the client is receiving these drugs, what is the nurse's highest priority instruction to the client and caregiver?

A) Wear protective gloves and mask when flushing a toilet.
B) Wash soiled linen in cold water to prevent staining.
C) Flush the toilet twice while the client is receiving the drugs.
D) Clean the toilet with undiluted bleach while the client is receiving the drug.

Answer 1

Flush the toilet twice while the client is receiving the drugs.

Question 2

A client is discharged on anticancer medications. What is an advantage of home use of these medications?

A) It can be closely monitored for potency of the drug.
B) Adequate hydration can be more easily provided in the home.
C) It is cost-effective for providing cancer care.
D) The client and family can readily monitor side effects and adverse reactions.

Answer 2

It is cost-effective for providing cancer care.

Question 3

The client will be undergoing anticancer therapy in the home setting. The nurse is preparing written educational materials for the client and family. In preparing the materials, the nurse's highest priority intervention is to:

A) ensure that materials are written at a 10th-grade level.
B) assess the learning needs of the client and family.
C) provide information as an audio file as well as in written format.
D) provide detailed information on each medication given.

Answer 3

assess the learning needs of the client and family.

Question 4

Estrogen therapy is a treatment for progressive prostatic cancer and breast cancer (postmenopausal women). The nurse administers the estrogen with the awareness that what is the proposed action of estrogen?

A) Suppresses tumor growth
B) Kills malignant tumor cells
C) Increases tumor growth
D) Stimulates normal cell growth

Question 5

A client with cancer is being treated with medication via intravenous therapy. The client is noted to have swelling at the IV site, pain at the IV site, and cool and pale skin. What is the highest priority nursing intervention?

A) Consult the pharmacist.
B) Increase the rate of the infusion.
C) Stop the infusion.
D) Administer pain medication.

Question 6

A client is ordered to receive cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). The client is advised to drink increased water and fluids to:

A) prevent renal failure.
B) prevent liver dysfunction.
C) prevent hemorrhagic cystitis.
D) increase the red blood cell count.

Question 7

A client with cancer is on chemotherapy and neutropenic precautions. This is a priority intervention because clients taking anticancer drugs are susceptible to infections resulting from a(n) _____ count.

A) decreased white blood cell
B) increased white blood cell
C) decreased platelet
D) decreased red blood cell

Question 8

A client with cancer is taking an antimetabolite. The client complains of nausea. The nurse may suggest taking the drug with:

A) milk.
B) crackers.
C) yogurt.
D) a full meal.

Question 9

To reduce a nurse's exposure to chemotherapy drugs during IV administration, what is the nurse's highest priority nursing intervention?

A) Wear a mask during administration of the medication.
B) Clean up a spill with paper towels as quickly as possible.
C) Wear a face shield if there is any danger of splashing.
D) Wear triple-layered gloves during administration.

Question 10

A male client is receiving chemotherapy and is concerned about endangering his female sexual partner while he is receiving the drugs. The nurse's highest priority instruction to this client is to __________ receiving the drugs.

A) continue to use his preferred method of birth control while
B) abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after
C) use a second form of birth control while
D) use condoms for up to seven days after

Question 11

The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing peripheral neuropathy as a result of receiving paclitaxel (Taxol). What is the highest priority nursing intervention to use in monitoring the client for this adverse reaction?

A) Decrease in levels of white blood cells and platelets
B) Increase in overactive deep tendon reflexes
C) Numbness and/or tingling of the fingers and toes
D) Paralysis of the muscles in the lower extremities

Question 12

The client will be remaining in the home while receiving chemotherapy. Her caregiver is concerned about how her skin should be cleaned if she is incontinent while undergoing treatment. The nurse should instruct the caregiver to clean the skin with ________ after an incontinent episode.

A) soap and water
B) prescribed skin care products
C) diluted hydrogen peroxide
D) water-based lubricant