Question 1

A patient is receiving a third session of chemotherapy with daunorubicin (Cerubidine). The nurse will assess the patient for which signs of a potential severe toxic effect of this drug?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac toxicity may occur, so frequent checking of heart and breath sounds is necessary and daily weights need to be recorded (with reporting of an increase of 2 pounds or more in 24 hours or 5 pounds or more in 1 week).

Question 2

The nurse is hanging a new infusion bag of a chemotherapy drug, but the tubing becomes disconnected and a small amount of the solution drips onto the floor. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Special spill kits are required to clean up even the smallest chemotherapy spills. These precautions are necessary to protect the health care provider from the cytotoxic effects of these drugs.

Question 3

What is the nurse's priority action if extravasation of an antineoplastic drug occurs during intravenous (IV) administration?

Accepted Answer

If extravasation is suspected, administration of the drug must be stopped immediately but the IV catheter left in place and the appropriate antidote instilled through the existing IV tube, after which the needle may be removed. The other options are incorrect.

Question 4

During chemotherapy, a patient develops severe diarrhea caused by a vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumor (VIPoma). The nurse expects to administer which drug for this problem?

Accepted Answer

Octreotide (Sandostatin) is used for the management of a cancer-related condition called carcinoid crisis and treatment of the severe diarrhea caused by vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas). The other options are incorrect.

Question 5

The nurse is assessing a patient who is receiving chemotherapy with an alkylating drug. Which assessment findings would be considered indications of an oncologic emergency?

Accepted Answer

Indications of an oncologic emergency include fever and/or chills with a temperature higher than 100.5° F (38.1° C); new sores or white patches in the mouth or throat; changes in bladder function or patterns; dry, burning, "scratchy," or "swollen" throat; and other signs and symptoms (see Box 46-4). The prescriber must be contacted immediately if any of the listed signs or symptoms occur. Loss of hair and decreased red blood cell count (a result of bone marrow suppression) are expected effects of chemotherapy.

Question 6

Just before the second course of chemotherapy, the laboratory calls to report that the patient's neutrophil count is 450 cells/mm³. The nurse expects that the oncologist will follow which course of treatment?

Accepted Answer

The normal range for neutrophils is above 1500 cells/mm³. If neutrophils are decreased to levels of less than 500 cells/mm³ (neutropenia), there is risk for severe infection. Chemotherapy will be held until the count returns toward normal levels.

Question 7

A patient will be receiving mitoxantrone (Novantrone), 12 mg/m²/day every 3 weeks, as part of treatment for prostate cancer. Each dose is mixed into a 50-mL bag of D₅W and needs to infuse over 15 minutes. The infusion pump delivers the dose at milliliters per hour. Identify the nurse will set the pump to infuse at what rate. _______

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient will be receiving mitoxantrone (Novantrone),...

Question 8

When a patient is receiving cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) chemotherapy, the nurse will monitor for which adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

Cisplatin can cause nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and peripheral neuropathy. Nephrotoxicity is manifested by rising blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels; ototoxicity is manifested by tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness; peripheral neuropathy is manifested by numbness or tingling of the extremities.

Question 9

A female patient is receiving palliative therapy with androgen hormones as part of treatment for inoperable breast cancer. The nurse will discuss with the patient which potential body image changes that may occur as adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

Androgens used for cancer treatment, such as fluoxymesterone and testolactone, can cause menstrual irregularities, virilization of female, gynecomastia, hirsutism, acne, anxiety, headache, and nausea. The patient needs to be told of these effects before therapy begins. The other options are incorrect.

Question 10

The nurse is teaching a class about the various chemotherapy drugs. Which of these statements explains why alkylating drugs are also called "cell cycle-nonspecific drugs"?

Accepted Answer

Cell cycle-nonspecific drugs kill cancer cells during any phase of the growth cycle, whereas cell cycle-specific drugs kill cancer cells during specific phases of the cell growth cycle. The other options are incorrect.

Question 11

When giving cisplatin (Platinol-AQ), the nurse is aware that adverse effect of this drug is which condition?

Accepted Answer

Cisplatin may cause nephrotoxicity, and the patient's renal function must be monitored closely while on this drug. Ensuring hydration will help to prevent nephrotoxicity.

Question 12

A patient is receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin) as part of treatment for ovarian cancer. Which of these is a possible adverse effect of doxorubicin?

Accepted Answer

Decreased cardiac output related to the adverse effect of cardiotoxicity is a possible adverse effect related to doxorubicin because adverse effects of doxorubicin include liver and cardiovascular toxicities. The other options are incorrect.

Quiz 46: Antineoplastic Drugs Part 2: Cell Cyclenonspecific Drugs and Miscellaneous Drugs

A patient is receiving a third session of chemotherapy with daunorubicin (Cerubidine) . The nurse will assess the patient for which signs of a potential severe toxic effect of this drug?