Chapter 103: Anticancer Drugs II: Hormonal Agents, Targeted Drugs, and Other Noncytotoxic Anticancer Drugs

Chapter 103: Anticancer Drugs II: Hormonal Agents, Targeted Drugs, and Other Noncytotoxic Anticancer Drugs

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A nursing student asks the nurse what differentiates antiestrogen drugs from aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of breast cancer. What is the correct response by the nurse?

a.	Antiestrogen drugs decrease the risk for thromboembolic events.
b.	Antiestrogen drugs increase the risk for endometrial cancer.
c.	Aromatase inhibitors block the production of estrogen by the ovaries.
d.	Aromatase inhibitors can be used for tumor cells that lack estrogen receptors.

 

 

ANS:  B

Antiestrogen drugs cause proliferation of endometrial tissue by acting as receptor agonists at receptors in the uterus. Antiestrogen drugs increase the risk of thromboembolic events. Aromatase inhibitors block the production of estrogen from androgenic precursors, not by the ovaries. Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat ER-positive breast cancer.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 1239 | p. 1242

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

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

 

2. A 43-year-old patient with a strong family history of breast cancer considers taking tamoxifen [Nolvadex] for cancer prevention. Which assessment finding is a possible contraindication?

a.	History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
b.	History of osteoporosis
c.	Hyperlipidemia
d.	Prior hysterectomy

 

 

ANS:  A

The patient’s age and DVT history place her at risk for thrombosis. Tamoxifen would not be indicated for this patient. A prior hysterectomy, osteoporosis, and hyperlipidemia are not contraindications to tamoxifen.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   p. 1229

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment

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

 

3. A 45-year-old patient with a family history of breast cancer is considering using tamoxifen [Nolvadex] for cancer prevention. The nurse performs a health history and learns that the woman had a child when she was 35 years old, that she has not had a hysterectomy, and that she experienced DVT when she was pregnant. What will the nurse tell the patient?

a.	Because of her family risk and late childbearing, this drug is a good choice for her.
b.	Her history of DVT outweighs any possible benefits she may have with this drug.
c.	Since she has not had a hysterectomy, the risk of endometrial cancer is too great.
d.	When she turns 50 years old, this drug will carry fewer risks for her.

 

 

ANS:  B

Tamoxifen is a good choice for women between the ages of 40 and 49 years as a cancer preventive, except for women at risk for DVT. Family risk and late childbearing age are indications for using tamoxifen, but only in women without increased risk of DVT. The risk of endometrial cancer increases with age and, without the risk of DVT, would not be a contraindication in a woman of the patient’s age. The patient’s risks of DVT do not change with age.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 1229

TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

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

 

4. A premenopausal woman has ER-positive breast cancer, and her prescriber has ordered tamoxifen [Nolvadex]. She asks the nurse if anastrozole [Arimidex] would work better for her. What will the nurse tell her?

a.	Anastrozole is more likely to cause hot flushes than tamoxifen.
b.	Anastrozole is more likely to promote endometrial carcinoma.
c.	Cancer recurrence is higher with anastrozole.
d.	Until she is postmenopausal, anastrozole will not be effective.

 

 

ANS:  D

Anastrozole is used to treat ER-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Because it does not block estrogen production in the ovaries, it is not effective in premenopausal women. It may cause hot flushes but is less likely to do so than tamoxifen. It is devoid of all estrogenic activity and does not promote endometrial cancer

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 1242

TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

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