Chapter 102: Anticancer Drugs I: Cytotoxic Agents

Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing Care 9th Edition by Jacqueline Burchum

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Chapter 102: Anticancer Drugs I: Cytotoxic Agents

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

  1. A nursing student asks about the differences between cell-cycle phase–specific chemotherapeutic agents and those that are cell-cycle phase nonspecific. What will the nurse explain?
a. Cell-cycle phase–nonspecific drugs are less toxic.
b. Cell-cycle phase–specific drugs do not harm “resting” cells.
c. Cell-cycle phase–specific drugs should be given at specific intervals.
d. Neither type is toxic to cells in the “resting” G0 phase.

 

 

ANS:  B

Cell-cycle phase–specific drugs do not harm “resting” cells, because these drugs are toxic only to cells that are active participants in the cell cycle. Cell-cycle phase–nonspecific drugs are not less toxic than cell-cycle phase–specific agents. Cell-cycle phase–specific drugs are usually given by prolonged infusion. Cell-cycle phase–nonspecific drugs are toxic to “resting” cells.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   pp. 1220-1224

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

 

  1. A patient on an oncology unit has been receiving ifosfamide [Ifex] for a few days. Before administering the next dose, the nurse reviews the patient’s laboratory test results. Which finding would cause the nurse to hold the dose?
a. Elevated white blood cell count
b. Low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
c. Low levels of ketones in the urine
d. Microscopic hematuria

 

 

ANS:  D

The nurse should hold the dose for microscopic hematuria, because this may indicate hemorrhagic cystitis. An elevated white blood cell count is not an indication to hold the dose. Low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are expected for a patient undergoing chemotherapy. Ketones may reveal some other problem, but they are not associated with ifosfamide.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 1225

TOP:   Nursing Process: Evaluation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

 

  1. A patient is receiving intravenous vincristine [Oncovin]. The patient complains of pain at the IV insertion site. The nurse examines the site and notes an area of erythema and edema. What will the nurse do?
a. Change the IV site and notify the provider of the extravasation.
b. Contact the provider to suggest using a different chemotherapeutic agent.
c. Obtain an order for a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
d. Slow the rate of infusion to reduce the patient’s discomfort.

 

 

ANS:  A

Vincristine is a vesicant; extravasation of these agents can cause severe local injury that sometimes requires surgical debridement and skin grafting. The site should be changed, and the provider should be notified. Requesting a different drug is not indicated. Topical anesthetics will not prevent local tissue injury. Slowing the rate of infusion will not prevent local tissue injury.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 1223

TOP:   Nursing Process: Diagnosis

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

 

  1. A nurse is discussing the care of a patient with cancer with a nursing student. The patient is about to begin chemotherapy with a bifunctional alkylating agent. Which statement by the student indicates an understanding of this chemotherapeutic agent?
a. “Alkylating agents are toxic to tissues that have rapidly dividing cells.”
b. “Bifunctional alkylating agents cannot form cross-links in DNA.”
c. “Resistance to alkylating agents is rare.”
d. “This drug needs to be given as a prolonged infusion.”

 

 

ANS:  A

Alkylating agents are toxic to rapidly dividing cells. Bifunctional agents form cross-links in cell DNA. Resistance to alkylating agents is common. These drugs may be given by bolus dosing.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   pp. 1223-1225

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

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