Cancer-Lab counts and IV chemo Flashcards
What are lab counts like?
Reduce WBC, RBC, and platelets
Hypercalcemia (with bone metastasis)
What is an administrative issue when giving IV chemo?
Extravasation (drug leaks to surroundings tissue)
How is tissue like if extravasation occurs?
Tissue will have necrosis
Prevention of extravasation ?
- Careful monitoring of access site is critical during chemo administration to prevent leakage of larger volume
- Cold/warm compress (depending on drug)
What are vesicants?
Chemicals that damage the tissue on direct contact
What if extravasation occurs with a vesicant?
The result of extravasation can include pain, infection, and tissue loss
What is needed sometimes with vesicant extravasation?
Surgery
Why do many chemo pts. have a port implanted?
So peripheral tissues are not affected and extravasation chances decrease
T/F: Even with a port, the nurse must observer closely for any indication of leakage and initiate management guidelines immediately
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PPE is used with what chemo?
Oral and IV
Anyone preparing, giving, or disposing of chemo drugs of handling excreta (wastes) from pts. within ___ of receiving IV chemo must use extreme caution and wear PPE
48 hours
What is PPE?
Eye protection
Mask
Double glove or chemo gloves
Gown
T/F: If pregnant you should not handle chemo
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T/F: Chemo drug tubing comes primed
T (not always but this is done sometimes by pharmacy to keep chemo safe in controlled environment)
Infection risk
Who gets neutropenic cautions?
WBC less than 1000
Infection risk
How often to inspect IV sites?
q4h
Infection risk
Chemo pts. should avoid what?
Invasive procedures
Infection risk
What is for the pt. only?
Should have dedicated equip
Infection risk
Avoid what foods?
Fresh fruit Undercooked meat Fish or eggs Paprika Raw nuts Yogurt
Neutropenia
What lab indicates this?
WBC less than 1000
Neutropenia
What if pt. needs to leave room?
Place mask on pt. when transporting
Neutropenia
What foods to avoid?
Fresh fruit, veggies Undercooked meat Fish Eggs Raw nuts Yogurt
*these could all potentially contain bacteria
During the times your WBC counts are low
Avoid what?
Crowds and other large gatherings of people who might be ill
During the times your WBC counts are low
Do not share what?
Personal toilet articles
- toothbrush, toothpaste
- washcloths
- deodorant sticks
During the times your WBC counts are low
How often to bathe? With what? What if you can’t bathe?
Bathe daily if possible
Use antimicrobial soap
If total bathing not possible, wash under armpits, groin, genitals, and anal area twice daily with antimicrobial soap
During the times your WBC counts are low
How often to clean toothbrush?
At least weekly by either running it through dishwasher or rinsing it in liquid laundry bleach (then rinsing bleach with hot running water)
During the times your WBC counts are low
When to wash hands?
Before eating and drinking After touching pet After shaking hands with ppl As soon as you get home from outings After bathroom
*wash with antimicrobial soaps
During the times your WBC counts are low
Follow what?
Cancer centrer instructions about eating fresh salads, raw fruits, and veg; meat, fish, egg; pepper and paprika
During the times your WBC counts are low
When to wash dishes?
Between use with hot, soapy water or use dishwasher
Do not reuse cups/glasses w/o washing
During the times your WBC counts are low
Do not drink what after its been out at room temp for longer than an hour?
Water
Milk
Juice
Or other cold liquids
During the times your WBC counts are low
Do not do what about pets?
Change liter boxes
During the times your WBC counts are low
How often to take temp?
At least once a day and when you don’t feel well
During the times your WBC counts are low
Report what signs of infection to pharm. immediately?
- Temp over 100F
- Persistent cough (w or w/o sputum)
- Pus/foul smelling drainage from open skin/body openings
- Presence of boil or abscess
- Cloudy/foul smelling urine that causes burning
During the times your WBC counts are low
T/F: Take all prescribed drugs
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During the times your WBC counts are low
Wear what when outside in garden or working with house plants?
Clean, disposable gloves underneath garden gloves
During the times your WBC counts are low
What about sex life?
Wear a condom if you’re a man
Make man wear condom if you are woman
