Chemotherapy

Question 1

what are the goals of chemotherapy?

Answer 1

To cure, increase mean survival time, and decrease risk for life-threatening complications

Question 2

how can cancer spread through the body?

Answer 2

lymphatic vessels

Question 3

what is the function of chemotherapy agents?

Answer 3

to kill the cell

Question 4

cell cycle specific dosing

Answer 4

schedule dependent; multiple, repeated dose

Question 5

cell cycle nonspecific dosing

Answer 5

dose dependent; single, high dose bolus

Question 6

chemo affects what type of cells in the body in terms of side effects?

Answer 6

cells that replicate the fastest

Question 7

four common side effects of chemotherapy

Answer 7

alopecia, stomatitis (oral lesions), severe N/V / gastritis, bone marrow suppression

Question 8

what is the best med class to prevent N/V?

Answer 8

5HT3 blockers; -etron family (ondansestron, etc)

Question 9

most serious ADR of all chemotherapy

Answer 9

pancytopenia

Question 10

anemia

Answer 10

decrease RBC, risk for bleeding and tissue hypoxia

Question 11

neutropenia

Answer 11

decrease in WBC, risk for infection

Question 12

thrombocytopenia

Answer 12

decrease in platelets; risk for bleeding and bruising

Question 13

neutropenia

Answer 13

neutrophil count less than 1500

Question 14

nadir

Answer 14

lowest point of WBC

Question 15

Induction therapy

Answer 15

first stage of chemotherapy; attempt to induce a remission, aggressively seeking to destroy cancer cells in blood, marrow, and organs

Question 16

intensification

Answer 16

stage 2 of chemotherapy; high dose therapy given after induction for months

Question 17

consolidation

Answer 17

stage 3; start after remission achieved, attempt to eliminate any remaining cancer cells

Question 18

maintenance therapy

Answer 18

stage 4; low dose chemo treatment, given q 3-4 weeks for prolonged period; goal = maintain remission

Question 19

plant alkaloids are toxic to what body system?

Answer 19

nervous system; nurse must do thorough neuro assessment at shift change and during shift

Question 20

antineoplastic agents are toxic to what?

Answer 20

heart; monitor total doses given to check for toxicity

Question 21

methotrexate

Answer 21

folate antagonist; help stop reproduction of cells (normal and malignant)

Question 22

MTX antidote

Answer 22

leucovorin- help normal cells recover and prevent anemia

Question 23

common plant alkaloids

Answer 23

vincristine and vinblastine

Question 24

common antineoplastic antibiotics

Answer 24

doxorubicin

Question 25

breast cancer treatment

Answer 25

tamoxifen

Question 26

BPH/ prostate cancer treatment

Answer 26

finasteride

Question 27

angiogensis inhibitor MOA

Answer 27

shrinks tumors by restricting blood supply
common med = bevacizumab

Question 28

filgrastim

Answer 28

increase WBC

Question 29

ertyhropoietin

Answer 29

increase RBC

Question 30

oprelvekin

Answer 30

increase platelets

Question 31

what is the preferred IV site for chemotherapy?

Answer 31

central line