A patient will soon begin targeted therapy as a component of her treatment plan for chronic leukemia. The nurse is conducting health education about this
... [Show More] new aspect of the patient's drug regimen and the
patient has asked about the potential side effects of treatment. How should the nurse best respond?
Correct Answer:C.
“Both classes of drugs have adverse effects, but targeted therapies tend to have less of an effect on healthy body cells.”
Targeted therapies are generally considered to be less toxic than traditional chemotherapy drugs. However, adverse reactions to targeted therapies can occur such as severe skin reactions, GI toxicities, skin reactions, and thrombosis.
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Question 2
1 out of 1 points
A patient has just received her first dose of imatinib and the nurse on the oncology unit is amending the patient's care plan accordingly. What nursing diagnosis is most appropriate in light of this addition to the patient's drug regimen?
Correct Answer: A.
Risk for Infection related to bone marrow suppression
Response Feedback:
Like many cancer treatments, imatinib causes bone marrow suppression that creates a consequent risk of infection. The drug does not typically result in cognitive changes, fluid overload, or skin breakdown.
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Question 3
A patient receiving high-dose cisplatin therapy exhibits symptoms of hypomagnesemia. Which of the following should the nurse suggest to help offset the magnesium losses from the cisplatin therapy? Correct Answer:
D.
Consuming chocolates
Response Feedback
:
Patients with hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels, should increase their dietary intake of magnesium. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium and will help offset losses from the cisplatin therapy. Calcium and magnesium compete to gain entrance into the intestines, so calcium-rich foods should be limited. Consumption of potassium-rich foods would have no effect on the patient's magnesium levels. The incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis can be reduced by a vigorous hydration regimen of at least 2 to 3 liters of fluid a day, but this would not help control symptoms of hypomagnesemia.
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Question 4
1 out of 1 points
A nurse is administering rituximab to a patient via the IV route. The nurse will set the IV pump at 50 mg/hour for the first half hour of the initial infusion. If there are not apparent reactions after 30 minutes of the infusion, the nurse will increase the dosage every 30 minutes by 50 mg/hour until the maximum infusion rate reaches which of the following?
Correct Answer:D. 400 mg/hour Response Feedback:
Infusion-related effects occur in 80% of patients within 30 minutes to 2 hours after the first rituximab infusion, but the severity of most reactions dissipates when the infusion rate is slowed or interrupted. Reactions may be related to dose, so it is advisable not to exceed the maximum infusion rate of 400 mg/hour.
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Question 5
1 out of 1 points
A 28-year-old woman has completed rituximab therapy for an autoimmune disease. She tells the nurse that she and her husband would like to start a family. The nurse will advise her to
Correct Answer: C.
continue using birth control for at least 12 months.
Response Feedback:
Rituximab is not recommended for use in pregnancy or when women are lactating. The patient should consequently be advised to continue using birth control for the duration of treatment.
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Question 6
1 out of 1 points
A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) will imminently begin a course of treatment with rituximab. In order to minimize the risk of adverse effects, what strategy for administration will be adopted?
Correct Answer:C.
Administering the initial doses by slow infusion while observing for adverse reactions
Response Feedback:
If no reactions are apparent after 30 minutes of rituximab infusion, the dose may be escalated every 30 minutes by 50 mg/h until a maximum infusion rate of 400 mg/h is reached. Admission to an ICU and administration of diphenhydramine do not reduce the risk of adverse effects. Rituximab is not administered through multiple IV sites simultaneously.
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Question 7
1 out of 1 points
A patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) will be starting a course of doxorubicin shortly. When planning this patient's care, what nursing diagnosis should the nurse prioritize?
Correct Answer:A.
Risk for Infection related to suppressed bone marrow function
Response Feedback:
Because doxorubicin suppresses bone marrow function, the patient is at risk of leukopenia and subsequent infection. Impaired skin integrity is less likely and airway clearance will not normally be affected. Nutritional deficit, not excess, is common.
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Question 8
0 out of 1 points
An oncology nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of cancer and is discussing with a colleague the factors that contribute to the success or failure of a patient's chemotherapy. Which of the following cancerous cells is most susceptible to the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs?
Correct Answer:
Cells that have a rapid mitotic rate
Response Feedback:
Cells that have a short generation time or rapid mitotic rate are most sensitive to antineoplastic agents. All cells (both cancerous and noncancerous) have a blood supply. A lack of contact inhibition is characteristic of cancer, but this is not associated with susceptibility to chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Question 9
1 out of 1 points
A nurse is to use a single-dose 1 mL vial to administer 0.5 mL of epoetin alfa to a 39-year-old woman who is being treated for chemotherapy-induced anemia. Which of the following will the nurse do with the unused portion of the drug?
Correct Answer:
Discard the unused portion of the drug.
Response Feedback:
The single-dose 1-mL vial does not have preservatives. In order to prevent contamination, the nurse will discard the unused portion of the drug. A 2-mL vial does have preservatives and would be stored at 2°C to 8°C to be used again. The 2-mL vial should be discarded 21 days after initial entry to prevent use of a possibly contaminated product.
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Question 10
1 out of 1 points
A nurse is discussing oprelvekin therapy with a male patient. Which of the following will the nurse tell the patient is the most common adverse effect of the drug?
Correct Answer:
Fluid retention/weight gain
Response Feedback: [Show Less]