A patient who has cancer will begin treatment with a colony-stimulating factor. The patient verbalizes understanding of why the drug is being used with which statement?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Colony-stimulating factors are used to stimulate the production of white blood cells (WBCs) in patients undergoing chemotherapy, which can otherwise lower WBC counts, leading to increased susceptibility to infections. By stimulating the production of more WBCs, the patient can receive higher doses of chemotherapy without increasing the risk of infection. Colony-stimulating factors do not have antitumor, cytotoxic, or antiviral effects.

A Patient Who Has Cancer Will Begin Treatment with a Colony-Stimulating