Question 1

During a patient's therapy with interleukins, the nurse monitors the patient for capillary leak syndrome. Which assessment finding, if present, would indicate this problem?

Accepted Answer

With capillary leak syndrome, the capillaries lose their ability to retain vital colloids, and these substances migrate into the surrounding tissues, resulting in massive fluid retention. As a result, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and dysrhythmias may occur. The other options do not reflect capillary leak syndrome.

Question 2

When monitoring a patient's response to interferon therapy, the nurse notes that the major dose-limiting factor for interferon therapy is which condition?

Accepted Answer

Patients who receive interferon therapy may experience flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, headache, malaise, myalgia, and fatigue. Fatigue is the major dose-limiting factor for interferon therapy. Patients taking high dosages become so exhausted that they are commonly confined to bed.

Question 3

A patient will be receiving aldesleukin [IL-2] (Proleukin), 600,000 IU/kg every 8 hours for 14 doses. The patient weighs 220 pounds. Identify how many IU of medication this patient will receive per dose. _______

Accepted Answer

60 million (60,000,000) IU
Convert pounds to kilograms: 220 ÷ 2.2 = 100 kg.
Calculate IU/kg for this patient: 600,000 IU/kg × 100 kg = 60,000,000 IU/dose.

Question 4

A patient who has received chemotherapy has a steadily decreasing white blood cell count. The chemotherapy will end on Tuesday afternoon. The oncologist has mentioned that a colony-stimulating factor will be started soon. The nurse knows that the appropriate time to start this medication is when?

Accepted Answer

Drugs that are given to enhance the activity of bone marrow cells interfere directly with the action of myelosuppressive cancer therapy. For this reason, therapy with colony-stimulating factors begins 24 hours after the chemotherapy has been completed.

Question 5

The nurse is administering an interferon and will implement which intervention?

Accepted Answer

Interferon is given parenterally (not orally), and injection sites need to be rotated. Fluids need to be increased during interferon therapy. The other options are incorrect.

Question 6

During interleukin drug therapy, a patient is showing signs of severe fluid retention, with increasing dyspnea and severe peripheral edema. The next dose of the interleukin is due now. Which action will the nurse take next?

Accepted Answer

The fluid retention that may occur with interleukin therapy is reversible; if therapy is stopped, the prescriber must be notified. The other options are incorrect.

Question 7

During therapy with hematopoietic drugs, the nurse will monitor the patient for which adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

Potential adverse effects of hematopoietic drugs include edema, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea, fever, and headache. See Table 47-1 for a complete list. The other options are not adverse effects of these drugs.

Question 8

Aldesleukin [IL-2] (Proleukin) is prescribed for a patient. The nurse reviews the patient's medication list and would note a potential drug interaction if which drug class is also ordered?

Accepted Answer

Aldesleukin, when given with antihypertensives, can produce additive hypotensive effects. The other responses are incorrect.

Question 9

A patient is to receive filgrastim (Neupogen) 5 mcg/kg/day. The patient weighs 198 pounds. Identify how many micrograms of medication this patient will receive each day. _______

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is to receive filgrastim (Neupogen)...

Question 10

A patient has an order for the monoclonal antibody adalimumab (Humira). The nurse notes that the patient does not have a history of cancer. What is another possible reason for administering this drug?

Accepted Answer

Monoclonal antibodies are used for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, multiple sclerosis, and organ transplantation.

Question 11

A patient who has received chemotherapy has a critically low platelet count. The nurse expects which drug or drug class to be used to stimulate platelet cell production?

Accepted Answer

Oprelvekin (Neumega) stimulates bone marrow cells, specifically megakaryocytes, which eventually form platelets. The other options are incorrect.

Question 12

Abatacept (Orencia) is prescribed for a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse checks the patient's medical history, knowing that this medication would need to be used cautiously if which condition is present?

Accepted Answer

Abatacept must be used cautiously in patients with recurrent infections or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The other options are incorrect.

Question 13

A patient asks about his cancer treatment with monoclonal antibodies. The nurse tells him that which is the major advantage of treating certain cancers with monoclonal antibodies?

Accepted Answer

Monoclonal antibodies can target cancer cells specifically and have minimal effects on healthy cells, unlike conventional cancer treatments. As a result, there are fewer adverse effects when compared to traditional antineoplastic therapy. The other options are incorrect.

Quiz 47: Biologic Responsemodifying and Antirheumatic Drugs