Chapter 38: Targeted Therapies to Treat Cancer

Chapter 38: Targeted Therapies to Treat Cancer

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The nurse is teaching a patient who will begin receiving targeted therapy for cancer. The patient asks how targeted therapy differs from other types of chemotherapies. The nurse will explain that targeted therapy

a.	damages cancer cell DNA to prevent cell replication.
b.	directly kills or damages cancerous cells.
c.	interferes with specific molecules in cancer cells.
d.	prevents metastasis of cancer cells.

 

 

ANS:  C

Targeted therapy differs from traditional cancer chemotherapy by taking advantage of biologic features particular to cancer cells and targeting specific mechanisms. They block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules within the cancer cells. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents damage cell DNA of cancer cells as well as normal cells. Targeted therapies do not directly kill or damage cancer cells or prevent metastasis.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   Page 531

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention: Patient Teaching

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A patient who has breast cancer tells the nurse that a cousin who had breast cancer received trastuzamab (Herceptin) and wonders why this drug is not given to her. The nurse will explain that her cancer cells do not have

a.	significant HER2 receptors.
b.	epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase.
c.	the BRCA1 suppressor gene.
d.	VGEF proteins.

 

 

ANS:  A

Trastuzamab acts by binding to the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells that overexpress this receptor. If patients do not have this overexpression, this targeted therapy will not work. Gefitinib is used when EGFR-TK are present. Bevacizumab is used when VGEF proteins are present.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   Page 531

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention: Patient Teaching

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology

 

3. The nurse is performing a history on a patient who will begin taking bevacizumab (Avastin). Which aspect of the patient’s history should be reported to the oncologist treating this patient?

a.	History of hepatitis
b.	Hypertension
c.	Recent surgical history
d.	Weight loss

 

 

ANS:  C

Bevacizumab carries a boxed warning for gastrointestinal perforations, wound dehiscence, impaired wound healing, hemorrhage, and fistula formation after surgery. The drug should not be used within 28 days after major surgery.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   Page 544

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment/Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. The patient asks the nurse what apoptosis means. The nurse will explain that apoptosis refers to

a.	alteration of cellular functions.
b.	inhibition of cell division.
c.	prevention of cell phase progression.
d.	slow, planned cellular death.

 

 

ANS:  D

Apoptosis is programmed cell death, designed to ensure that tissues contain only healthy and optimally functional cells.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Remembering (Knowledge)           REF:   Page 533

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Intervention: Patient Teaching

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology