cancer drugs Flashcards
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This class of cancer drug is cell-cycle non-specific and substitutes and alkyl group for a hydrogen atom which results in interference of DNA replication and RNA transcription:
alkylating agents
An example of an alkylating agent is:
cisplatin
T or F: A patient taking cisplatin will liekly experience mucositis and esophagitis.
FALSE
Patients taking this drug commonly experience severe nausea and vomiting, as well as a metallic aftertaste in their mouths
cisplatin
Antitumor antibiotics mechanism of action is:
inhibiting cell division by binding to DNA and interfering with RNA transcription
An example of an antitumor antibiotic is:
doxorubicin
A person taking doxorubicin is not likely to experience:
renal or hepatic toxicity
Patients that complain of an abnormal dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) are most likely taking:
doxurubicin
Drugs that interfere with nucleic acid synthesis by substituting drug for purines or pyrimidines necessary for normal cellular function are:
Antimetabolites
A patient taking an antimetabolite drug who is having difficulty with vitamin B12, fat and D-xylose absorption, has renal and hepatic toxicity, and change in taste acuity is taking:
methotrexate
When a patient is taking __________________ they should avoid pyridoxine supplementation
fluorouracil
A patient taking an antimetabolite drug and is experiencing moderate vomiting, anorexia, severe mucositis and esophagitis, diarrhea, and hepatic toxicity. Clinical tests reveal no sign of renal toxicity. The drug is:
fluorouracil
Hormones/hormone modifier drugs work by:
altering cellular metabolism by changing body hormonal milieu for unfavorable tumor growth
List one hormone used for treating cancer:
glucocorticoids
A person taking glucocorticoids may experience mild nausea and vomiting T or F:
TRUE
hyperpagia, sodium and fluid retention, gastrointestinal upset, glucose intolerance, K+ wasting, osteoporosis, and negative nitrogen balance are all sides effects of:
glucocorticoids
This class of cancer drug works by inhibiting mitotic spindle formation and blocking mitosis:
Plant alkaloids
Liat an example of a plant alkaloid drug:
vincristine
A person experiencing mild vomiting, anorexia, mucositis and esophagitis, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and hepatic toxicity is taking:
vincristine
What is one hallmark side effect of vincristine?
hyponatremia (abnormally low level of sodium in the blood)
Interferon is a biologic response modifier that works by:
modifying host biologic responses to tumor
A noticible weight change (increase or decrease)can be associated with which drug?
interferon
A person taking interferon is NOT likely to experience:
mucositis & esophagitis and renal toxicity
T or F: A patient taking interferon will most likely experience severe vomiting.
FALSE
Renal tubular necrosis is associated with taking:
cisplatin
Methotexate can have what effect on the liver?
It can cause hepatic fibrosis
Fluid retention is a common side effect for:
glucocorticoids
Both alkylating agents and antitumor antibiotics interfere with DNA and RNA transcription. What is the difference between the two?
alkylating agents work by substituting an alkyl group for a hydrogen atom which interfers with DNA replication, while antitumor antibiotics bind to DNA and inhibit cell division
A side effect of Cisplatin may be the decrease of which 3 minerals?
Serum magnesium, potassium, and zinc
