A Client Is Prescribed a Chemotherapeutic Drug for Treatment of Leukemia

A client is prescribed a chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of leukemia and asks the nurse why a drug that can also cause cancer is being used to treat cancer. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "The incidence of carcinogenic effects is really quite small, and you shouldn't be concerned about it."
B) "Since you are receiving such potent drugs, they have to warn of you of every possible side effect."
C) "The risk for causing another cancer is there, but sometimes the benefit of the treatment outweighs the risks."
D) "The carcinogenic effects often do not show up for a few decades, and we want to cure this leukemia now."