Cancer Pharmacology

Question 1

What is the greatest risk factor for cancer?

Answer 1

old age

Question 2

methotrexate
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

6 nursing pro tips

Answer 2

• purpose: treatment of cancer
• classification: anti-metabolite – deprives fast growing cells of folic acid which is necessary for cellular survival
• nursing pro tips:
  1. adverse effects – liver damage and depressed immune system
• don’t drink alcohol because of liver damage
• this drug can destroy WBCs
  2. push fluids to help clear the drug from the system
  3. don’t take vitamins with drug – they contain folic acid
  4. give leucovorin immediately after – diminishes methotrexate toxicity
  5. monitor ALT and AST
  6. can affect blood coagulation

Question 3

cyclophosphamide
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

2 nursing pro tips

Answer 3

• purpose: treatment of cancer
• classification: nitrogen mustard
• nursing pro tips:
  1. push fluids to help clear the drug from your system – drink 2 - 3 L/day
  2. adverse effect – cystitis (inflammation of bladder) – monitor I&Os
• can be prevented with increased fluid intake

Question 4

vincristine
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

2 nursing pro tips

Answer 4

• purpose: treatment of cancer
• classification: prevents cell division of cancer cells
• nursing pro tips:
  1. adverse effects – peripheral neuropathy and constipation
• push fluids to prevent constipation
  2. side effect – alopecia

Question 5

doxorubicin
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

2 nursing pro tips

Answer 5

• purpose: treatment of cancer
• classification: antibiotics
• nursing pro tips:
  1. adverse effects – cardiotoxicity, immune system depression, stomatitis, and hyperuricemia
• cardiotoxicity – can manifest as dysrhythmias and HF
• perform frequent oral care and hydration to prevent stomatitis and hyperuricemia
  2. doxorubicin should be prepared in a biological safety cabinet because fumes may cause health hazards

Question 6

tamoxifen
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

1 nursing pro tip

Answer 6

• purpose: treatment of breast cancer
• classification: anti-estrogen; anti-neoplastic
• nursing pro tips:
  1. needs to be taken for 5 years, after which it will be discontinued because of increased risk of stroke after taking for this amount of time

Question 7

What is the normal approach for cancer treatment?

Answer 7

multi-drug therapy

Question 8

-grastim
* purpose
* classification
* nursing pro tips

1 nursing pro tip

Answer 8

• purpose: prevents neutropenia in cancer pts
• classification: WBC colony stimulating
• nursing pro tips:
  1. monitor WBC labs – should result in an improvement of WBC count