The physician has ordered UGT1A1 gene testing for a patient with colon cancer. The nurse recognizes that which of the following drugs can result in severe diarrhea and neutropenia in persons with a specific UGT1A1 gene variant?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Irinotecan can result in severe diarrhea and neutropenia in persons with a specific UGT1A1 gene variant. This variant leads to reduced metabolism of the active form of irinotecan, causing toxic build-up in the body. Testing for this gene variant can help clinicians adjust the dosage of irinotecan accordingly to avoid serious adverse events.

The Physician Has Ordered UGT1A1 Gene Testing for a Patient