Chemotherapy

Question 1

List the different ways chemo can be administered

Answer 1

IV, orally, injection, topical, regional

Question 2

Discuss chemo precautions for healthcare workers

Answer 2

PPE at all times when handling cytotoxic agents and waste, compounding, commencing, administering, changing/removing chemo
contaminated items must be discarded appropriately

Question 3

List the different types of access devices and how long they can remain in-situ

Answer 3

cannula: temporary, PICC line: weeks, portacath: long term

Question 4

List the checks done on day of treatment

Answer 4

obs, blood results, SEs, access device site

Question 5

list the associated problems of chemo

Answer 5

resistance, treatment induced tumours, toxicity and SEs

Question 6

describe resistance to chemo and differentiate between intrinsic and acquired

Answer 6

cells evolve elaborate defence mechanisms to protect against chemo, intrinsic where cells are inherently resistant, acquired where cells acquire resistance as cellular response to chemo

Question 7

describe treatment induced tumours and the implication on treatment

Answer 7

form after original cancer cured and are histologically different eg not return of original cancer, original treatment method usually wont work

Question 8

list the SEs of chemo

Answer 8

fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, appetite changes, gut irritation, mucositis, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, reduced RBCs, WBCs and platelets

Question 9

What effects do decreased RBCs have?

Answer 9

fatigue, SOB, dizziness, concentration problems

Question 10

List cytotoxic precautions for patients

Answer 10

hand hygiene, closing toilet lid before flushing (always full flush), soiled bed linen/clothing needs to be washed separately in full cycle of hot water then dried in sun, barrier protection must be used if sexually active, chemo remains in blood for 7 days