Question 1

When educating the patient on chemotherapy regarding skin care,the nurse will include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

- Avoid sunlight to prevent skin damage.- Use mild soap to avoid irritation.- Bathe in lukewarm water to prevent dryness.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Amifostine (Ethyol) is intended to decrease renal toxicity associated with certain chemotherapy drugs. It works by selectively protecting normal tissues from the harmful effects of chemotherapy, without protecting the cancer cells.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Filgrastim (Neupogen) is a medication that stimulates the production of white blood cells and is often used to counteract the neutropenia (low white blood cell count) that can result from chemotherapy. Since the patient has undergone bowel resection resulting from cancer, it is likely that they will need chemotherapy to treat the cancer, and filgrastim can help prevent complications from neutropenia, such as infections.

Question 4

Which sign(s)and symptom(s)assessed by the nurse would indicate thrombocytopenia? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by low platelet count, which can lead to bleeding tendencies. Pinpoint red rash (petechiae) can occur due to bleeding under the skin. Increase in menstrual flow can be due to increased bleeding during menstruation. Coffee-ground emesis can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. Casts in urine and brown, fatty stools are not directly related to thrombocytopenia.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Combination chemotherapy involves using multiple antineoplastic drugs that work in different ways to kill cancer cells at various phases of the cell cycle, increasing the effectiveness of treatment and reducing the chance of resistance.

Question 6

When are cancer cells most sensitive to chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Cancer cells are most sensitive to chemotherapy during rapid division. This is because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. However, chemotherapy can also affect normal cells that divide rapidly, such as those lining the gastrointestinal tract, hair follicles, and bone marrow, leading to side effects. Therefore, chemotherapy is usually administered in cycles, with periods of rest in between, to allow normal cells to recover.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Vincristine sulphate acts in the mitotic phase of the cell's life cycle by interfering with the assembly and disassembly of microtubules, thereby blocking the formation of the mitotic spindle and inhibiting cell division.

Question 8

Why is a patient with prostate cancer prescribed an estrogen?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen can be used to decrease the production of testosterone, which in turn can slow the growth of prostate cancer cells that rely on testosterone for growth.

Question 9

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?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy patients should avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without first consulting their healthcare provider, as these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding and interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The other statements demonstrate appropriate precautions to take during and after chemotherapy.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Bleomycin is known to cause pulmonary toxicity, which can lead to symptoms such as increased respiratory rate and cough.

Question 11

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):

Accepted Answer

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is administered by intramuscular (IM) injection. Therefore, the nurse would need to gather an intramuscular (IM) needle and syringe to provide this medication.

Question 12

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:

Accepted Answer

Spicy foods can irritate the digestive system and exacerbate diarrhea, so eliminating them can help alleviate symptoms.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the advantage of combination therapy...

Question 14

Which treatment(s)may be used alone or in combination for the treatment of cancer? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The most common treatments for cancer are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Phlebotomy, which is the removal of blood, is not used as a main treatment for cancer.

Question 15

Which nursing consideration(s)would be taken into account prior to the administration of cisplatin IV? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A review of laboratory data for presence of myelosuppression and hepatic and renal parameters is important prior to the administration of cisplatin IV as this medication can cause bone marrow suppression and can be nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic. Administration of IV hydration is also necessary to prevent nephrotoxicity. Prechemotherapy mesna (Mesnex) is given to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis. Dermatologic conditions are not a specific concern related to cisplatin administration. Administration of epoetin alfa (Epogen) may be given for anemia related to cancer therapy, however, it is not specific to cisplatin administration.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Bone marrow stimulants are used to enhance the patient's immune system by stimulating the production of blood cells, which can be suppressed during cancer treatment.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Paresthesia, or an abnormal sensation such as tingling or numbness, is a common sign of neurotoxicity related to chemotherapy. Euphoria and nausea are not specific signs of neurotoxicity and can have other causes, while hallucinations are less likely to be a symptom of neurotoxicity and may indicate a different issue such as delirium.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Correlating the dosage schedule with cell cycle-specific drug therapy is important because it takes into consideration the known cellular kinetics of the neoplasm. This is crucial in ensuring that the drug therapy is administered at the optimal time in the cell cycle to maximize its effectiveness. By doing so, ongoing proliferation of neoplastic tissue can be more effectively targeted and eliminated. The hormonal requirements of the patient and the body's response in strengthening the immune system are also important considerations in cancer treatment, but they do not directly relate to the importance of correlating the dosage schedule with cell cycle-specific drug therapy.

Quiz 43: Drugs Used to Treat Cancer

When educating the patient on chemotherapy regarding skin care,the nurse will include: (Select all that apply.)

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

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

Which sign(s) and symptom(s) assessed by the nurse would indicate thrombocytopenia? (Select all that apply.)

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

When are cancer cells most sensitive to chemotherapy?

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

Why is a patient with prostate cancer prescribed an estrogen?

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?

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

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) :

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:

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

Which treatment(s) may be used alone or in combination for the treatment of cancer? (Select all that apply.)

Which nursing consideration(s) would be taken into account prior to the administration of cisplatin IV? (Select all that apply.)

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

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

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