The nurse is caring for a 34-year-old patient with a large hilar mass due to lymphoma. Chemotherapy is being provided and the client also has orders for Zyloprim (allopurinol) 300 mg orally twice daily. When providing this medication, the nurse would include which of the following statements in the client teaching?
A) "This medication will help prevent gout, which occurs when clients are given radiation therapy."
B) "Allopurinol binds to the uric acid being released by the destroyed cancer cells and prevents it from damaging your kidneys."
C) "Chemotherapy agents can reduce the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in your body; this medication helps protect those cells."
D) "This is part of the chemotherapy regimen since some chemo agents are given in your IV and others are given by mouth."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Allopurinol is given to prevent tumor lysis syndrome, which is a potential complication of chemotherapy where destroyed cancer cells release large amounts of uric acid, leading to kidney damage. Allopurinol binds to the uric acid and prevents it from damaging the kidneys. Choices A, C, and D are not accurate statements regarding the use of allopurinol in this situation.

The Nurse Is Caring for a 34-Year-Old Patient with a Large