Exam 3 Material Flashcards
What is cancer?
- Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division
- Cells lose normal function and differentiation
- Can travel to distant sites and create new tumors (metastasis)
Causes of Preventable Cancers
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol
- UV radiation
- Physical activity
- Poor diet
Goals of Chemotherapy
- Cure
- May not be possible
- Control
- Control the growth to help increase length or quality of life
- Palliation
- Relieve symptoms
Treatments used in Conjunction with Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Surgery
ABVD Chemotherapy Combination
- Adriamycin
- Bleomycin
- Vinblastine
- Dacarbazine
BEACOPP Chemotherapy Combination
- Bleomycin
- Etoposide
- Doxorubicin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Vincristine
- Procarbazine
- Prednisone
Standford V Chemotherapy Combination
- Doxorubicin
- Vinblastine
- Mechlorethamine
- Etoposide
- Vincristine
- Bleomycin
- Prednisone
COPP/ABVD Chemotherapy combination
- Cyclophosphamide
- Vincristine
- Procarbazine
- Prednisone
- Doxorubicin
- Bleomycin
- Vinblastine
- Dacarbazine
MOPP Chemotherapy Combination
- Mechlorethamine
- Vincristine
- Procarbazine
- Prednisone
Why are combination drugs used in chemo?
Drugs are from multiple drug classes (different MOAs, affect cells in various stages of the growth cycle)
What type of cells is chemo most toxic too?
Tumors and tissues with rapidly dividing cells (hair follicles, bone marrow, GI epithelium)
Common Toxicities of Chemo
- Alopecia
- Mucositis: sloughing of mucous membranes
- N/V: chemoreceptors in the brain
- Bone marrow suppression (myelosuppression)
- Anemia (decrease in hemoglobin and/or red blood cells)
- Leukopenia/neutropenia (decreased white blood cells - increses susceptibility to infection)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- Long term effects may include infertility, secondary malignancies
Cautions when administering Chemo
- Be cautious when administering - gown/glove up to prevent YOU from getting cancer
- Be aware that many chemotherapies are vesicants (serious tissue injury if they infiltrate/extravasate)
- Specially trained to administer
- Specific antidotes for infiltration/extravasation
Classes of Chemotherapy/Antineoplastics
- Aklylting agents
- Antimetabolites
- Antitumor antibodies
- Natrual products
- Hormones/hormone antagonists
- Biologi response modifiers/targeted therapies
- Miscellaneous
Aklylating Agents for Cancer
- Dates back to nitrogen mustarg used as chemical warfare agent in WWI
- Most widely prescribed class
- Examples: cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), cisplatin (Platinol), busulfan
- Cyclophosphamide is also used to include immunosuppression for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
Antimetabolites for Cancer
- Resemble nutrients used by the cell (folid acid, purine, pyrimidine analogs)
- Examples: methotrexate, cytarabine, fluorouracil
- Methotrexate rescue - leucovorin (form of folid acid) is given to rescue normal cells from the toxicity of the treatment
- Methotrexate is also used in the treatment of rheumatoir arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, and psoriasis
Antitumor Antibiotics for Cancer
- Isolated from bacteria and have antitumor properties
- Examples: doxurubicin (Adriamycin), idarubicin (Idamycin)
- Cardiotoxicity is a dose limiting effect of many drugs in this class
- May have a lifetime dose that can’t be exceeded due to its effects on the heart
Natural products for Cancer
- Includes plant extracts
- American Indians used May Apple to treat snakebites and warts
- Examples: vincristine, etopside, paclitaxel
Hormones/Hormone Antagonists for Cancer
- Used for hormone dependent tumors
- Not cytotoxic, do not see toxicities associated with other chemo drugs
- Examples: corticosteroids, progestins, estrogens, and androgens
Biologic Response Modifiers for Cancer
- Enhance immune system to destroy cancer cells (immunostimulants)
- Target specific antigens on surface of cancer cells
- Includes interferons, interleukins, and other cytokines
- Fewer adverse effects than cytotoxic chemo drugs
Targeted Therapies for Cancer
- Specific to one type of tumor cells
- Monoclonal antibodies (rituximab)
- Also used to treat autoimmune diseases
- Often require premedication for hypersensitivity reactions
- Other targeted therapies: imatinib, bortezomib
Chemo Precautions
- Use appropriate PPR
- Signage outside of room
- Dispose of IV bags, tubing, packaging, etc. in appropriate container
- Be aware of how to handle spills
- Patient body fluids are considered contaminated for at least 48 hours after last dose
- Sexual realtions - wait 48 hours
- Know your hospital’s policy for handling of body fluids
- Some “non-chemo” medications may require “chemo-precautions”
- Chemo certification is often required for administration
Endocrine System Function
- The endocrine system is a collection of glands that secrete hormones to regulate the functions of cells, tissues, and rogans
- Hormones are chemical messangers released in response to a change in the body’s internal environment to maintain body homeostass
- Negative feedback system: one hormone controls secretion of another hormone, and the last hormone in the pathway provides feedback to turn off secretion of the first hormone
Hormones in Pharmacotherapy
- Replacement therapy when insufficient quantities of endogenous hormones are produced
- Examples: insulin in diabetes or levothyroxine (Synthroid) in hypothyroidism
- Cancer treatment: to shrink the size of hormone-sensitive tumors
- Examples: testosterone for breast cancer, estrogen for testicular cancer
- Exaggerated response: of a normal action of a hormone
- Example: hydrocortisone to suppress inflammation
- Anti-hormones: block actions of endogenous hormones
- Examples: propylthiouracil (PTU) in hyperthyroidism
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
- Component in fluid homeostasis
- Desmopressin (DDAVP) and vasopressin are medications that mimic ADH
What happens to urine output when you have too much ADH (SIADH)?
A little urine that is very concentrated
What happens to urine output when you have too little ADH (Diabetes Insipidus)?
A lot of urine; can become very dehydrated; will give lots of fluids
Therapeutic class of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Hormone
Pharmacologic class of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Antidiuretic hormone
Indications of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
- Diabetes insipidus
- von Willebrand’s disease (blood clotting disorder)
- Bet wetting
MOA of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Acts on the kidneys to reabsorb water; controls bleeding in certain clotting disorders; contraction of smooth muscle in vascular system
Adverse effects of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Symptoms of water intoxication (edema, weight gain, HTN, hyponatremia/low serum sodium [diluting])
- With low sodium - worry about seizures/comatose
Nursing implications of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
- Closely monitor intake and output, fluid volume status, urine specific gravity
- Use with caution in clients with renal disease, hyponatremia, HTN
- Available PO, intranasal spray, SC, IV
Thyroid Hormones
- The thyroid gland affects basal metabolic rate; growth and development in children
- Thyroid hormones affect almost every cell in the body
- The thyroid hormones consist of triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4)
- Iodine is required for synthesis of thyroid hormones
- Disorder results from either hyper- or hypo-function of thyroid gland; arising from thyroid disease, or abnormalities of piututary gland or hypothalamus
- TSH is a common lab value we look at
- T3 is the more effective/active hormone
- T4 is typically given and it needs to be converted into T3
- T3 has a shorter half life than T4
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Intolerance to cold
- Receding hairline
- Facial and eyelid edema
- Dull-blank expression
- Extreme fatigue
- Thick tongue - slow speech
- Anorexia
- Brittle nails and hair
- Menstural disturbances
- Hair loss
- Apathy
- Lethargy
- Dry skin (coarse and scaly)
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Constipation
- Late clinical manifestations
- Subnormal temp
- Bradycardia
- Weight gain
- Decreased loss of consciousness
- Thickened skin
- Cardiac complications
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
- Intolerance to heat
- Fine, straight hair
- Bulging eyes
- Facial flushing
- Enlarged thyroid
- Tachycardia
- Increased systolid BP
- Breast enlargement
- Weight loss
- Muscle wasting
- Localized edema
- Menstrual changes (amenorrhea)
- Increased diarrhea
- Tremors
- Finger clubbing
Therapeutic Class of Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Thyroid hormone replacement
Pharmacologic class of Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Thyroid hormone
Indications of Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Hypothyroidism
MOA of Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Synthetic T4; increases metabolic rate of body tissues
Adverse effects of Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Tachycardia
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
- Heat intolerance
- Diaphoresis
- Menstrual irregularities
Nursing Implications of Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- Administer 30-60 min before breakfast (empty stomach; prevent insomnia)
- Narrow therapeutic range, blood levels monitored
- Long half-life, given once a day
- Steady state is achieved in 6-8 weeks
- Many drug interactions
- Use with caution in elderly with heart disease (start low and slow)
- Educate clients that this is a life-long therapy (does not cure hyperthryoidism)
- Monitor TSH levels
- There is an IV formulation
What changes in lab values would you expect to see with hypothyroidism?
Low T4
High TSH
Hyperthyroidism therapy
- Methimazole (Tapazole) is used for hyperthyroidism; often prior to thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy (I-I#I)
- Interferes with synthesis of T3 and T4
- Adverse effects:
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Hetpatotoxicity
- Bone marrow suppression (decreased white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets)
- Seond line drug therapy for hyperthyroidism is propylthiouracil (PTU)
Adrenal hormones
Adrenal gland secretes three class of steroid hormones
- Glucocorticoids (ex. cortisol) - sugar
- Mineralocorticoids (ex. aldosterone) - salt
- Androgens/gonadocorticoids (ex. testosterone) - sex
Glucocorticoids
- Examples: hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef), methylprednisone (Solu-Medrol), cortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone (Decadron)
- Can be used to manage adrenal insufficiency (due to Addison’s disease, sudden withdrawal of corticosteroids, or insufficient amounts in the critically ill
- Too much can cause Cushing’s disease or Syndrome Symptoms
- Too little can cause Addison’s disease
Diabetes
- Deficiency in insulin secretion, or a decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors, leading to elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia)
- Normal blood glucose is 70-110
- Insulin allows glucose to enter cells in order to be used for energy (major energy source)
- If insulin is not avilable to facilitate the entry of glucose into the cells, the body then metabolizes lipids as a source of energy, leading to a state of acidosis
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperglycemia (BG ~ 180)
- Three Ps
- Polydipsia - thirst
- Polyphagia - hunger
- Polyuria - frequent urination
- Headache
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Decreased vision
- Weight loss
- Vaginal or skin infections
- Delayed wound healing
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful or insensitive feet
- Cold feet
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Fatigue
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia (BG < 70)
- Usually sudden onset
- Pale, cool, moist skin
- Hunger
- Dizziness
- Decreased LOC
- Confusion, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Double or blurred vision
- Seizures
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia
- Anxiety
Diabetes Type I
- Goal: prevent long term consequences
- Disease of childhood (juvenile-onset); insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
- 1/4 are adults
- Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells
- Pancreas can’t secrete insulin (insulin must be administered)
- Etiology - genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors
- Fasting blood sugar > 126 on 2 separate occassions
- Symptoms:
- Polyuria
- Polyphagia
- Polydipsia
- Glucosuria
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Long term:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Blindness
- Neuropathy of extremities
- Impaired wound healing
- Amputations
Diabetes Type II
- Previously called adult-onset
- Increasing larger number of children are getting it
- Pancreas secretes insulin, but usually in small amounts; insulin receptors in target tissues are unresponsive (insulin resistance)
- Can regain sensitivity through diet and exercise
- Treated with antidiabetic first, insulin if necessary
- Overweight, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
- May be asymptomatic
- Long term: as cells become more resistant, blood glucose levels rise and pancrease hypersectreiton of insulin leads to beta cell death
- Same physical effects as with Type I
- More common than Type I
Gestational Diabetes
- Around the 24th week of pregnancy, women who have never had diabetes develop hyperglycemia
- Incidence as high as 9.2%
- Unknown cuase, but believed to be due to increased hormones from the placenta that block the mother’s insulin leading to insulin resistance; mother may need as much as 3 times normal insulin
- High blood glucose in mother effects unborn chlid by crossing the placenta and stimulating the baby’s pancreas to secrete large amounts of insulin leading to macrosoma (fat baby)
- Long term: mother usually ok after birth; baby can have hypoglycemia and respiratory complications at birth
- Increases child’s risk of obesity and adult type II diabetes mellitus
Insulin
- Produced from human recombinant DNA rechnology; effective, few allergic reactions, little resistance
- Insulins are mofied for rapid, short, intermediate, or long onset of action
- Must individualize doses of insulin for maximum control
- Those with latex allergies - one punctire before vial needs to get tossed
- Don’t hold basal level of insulin even in NPO unless levels are really low
- Insulin is destroyed by the acids in the GI tract, so it must be injected SQ or given IV
- HA1C - blood test that gives a percentage that shows how well glucose has been managed over the last 3 months
- Insulin pump is programmed to release insulin at predetermined intervals throughout the day, may also be used to deliver bolus dose
Insulin Aspart (Novolog)
- Action: rapid
- Onset: 15 min
- Peak: 1-3 hours
- Duration: 3-5 hours
- Administration: SQ 5-10 min before meals
- Compatibility: Can give with NPH - draw up first and give immediately
Insulin Lispor (Humalog)
- Action: rapid
- Onset: 5-15 min
- Peak: 0.5-1 hour
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Administration: SQ 5-10 min before meals
- Compatilibility: Can give with NPH, draw up lispro first and give immediately
Insulin Glulisine (Apidra)
Action: rapid
Onset: 15-30 min
Peak: 1 hour
Duration: 3-4 hours
Administration: SQ 15 min before min or within 20 min of starting
Compatilibility: Can give with NPH, draw up glulisine first and give immediately
Insulin regular (Humulin R, Novolin R)
Action: short
Onset: 30-60 min
Peak: 2-4 hours
Duration: 5-7 hours
Administration: SQ 30-60 min beofre meals; IV in emergency
Compatilibility: Can give with NPH
Isophane suspension (NPH, Humulin N, Novolin N)
Action: intermediate
Onset: 1-2 hours
Peak: 4-12 hours
Duration: 18-24 hours
Administration: SQ 30 min before meals
Compatilibility: Can mix with aspart, lispro, or regular; mix clear (regular) to cloudy (NPH)
Insulin detemir (Levemir)
Action: long
Onset: gradual over 24 hours
Peak: 6-8 hours
Duration: up to 24 hours
Administration: SQ 1 time a day; evening meal or before bedtime
Compatilibility: do not mix with any other insulin
Insulin glargine (Lantus)
Action: long
Onset: gradual over 24 hours
Peak: no peak
Duration: up to 24 hours
Administration: SQ 1 time a day, same time each day
Compatilibility: do not mix with any other insulin
Rapid insulin
- -og
- 15 min onset
- 1 hour peak
- Can mix with NPH
Short insulin
- -in
- 30 min onset
- 3 hour peak
- Can mix with NPH
Intermediate insulin
- NPH
- Onset 30-60 min
- Peak 1-2 hours
- Can mix with short and rapid insulin
Therapeutic class of regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R)
Hormone, drug for diabetes
Pharmacologic class of regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R)
Hypoglycemic
Indications of regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R)
Treatment of hyperglycemia, treatment of acute ketoacidosis, treatment of hyperkalemia (off-label use)
MOA of regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R)
Short acting insulin; promotes entry of glucose into cells for use as energy
Adverse effects of regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R)
- Hypoglycemia
- Tachycardia
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Restlessness
- Coma and death if severe hypoglycemia is untreated
- Hypokalemia
Nursing implications of regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R)
- Can be given IV or SQ
- Only use insulin syringe
- Administered 30 min before meal
Lipohypertrophy
- Lumps (lipohypertrophy) below the surface of the skin from repeated insulin injections into the same area
- May be mildly painful and can change the timing or completeness of insulin action
Nursing Considerations for Insulin
- Only use approvd calibrated syringes
- Opened insulin vials can be stored at room temperature, out of sunlight and excessive heat for up to 1 month
- Mark date opened and expiration day 28 days after on the bottle
- Don’t use if precipitate forms in vial
- Draw up “clear to cloudy” when mixing insulins
- Check blood sugar levels before administering
- Give before meals if rapid, short, or intermediate acting
- Rotate injection site - do not inject in raised, swollen, itchy areas
- Increase frequency of glucose monitoring with fever, N/V, diarrhea
- Hba1c is a lab value that indicates average glucose levels over the past 3 months
- Pregnancy category B
Tye II Diabetes Risk Factors
- Obesity
- Fat distribution in abdomen
- Dyslipidemia
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history
- Race
- Age
- Pre-diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Oral Antidiabetic Medications
- Lower blood glucose, some may cause hypoglycermia
- Not effective for Type I diabetes
- Multiple class, start with one and add on as necessary
- Failure to achieve results with 2 drugs may require a 3rd oral med or insulin
Therapeutic class of metformin (Glucophage)
Antidiabetic
Pharmacologic class of metformin (Glucophage)
Biguanide
Indications of metformin (Glucophage)
Type II diabetes (first line drug)
MOA of metformin (Glucophage)
Decrease hepativ production of glucose and reduces insulin resistance
Benefits is that it does not cuase hypoglycemia; also lowers triglyceride and LDL and promotes weight loss)
Adverse effects of metformin (Glucophage)
- N/V
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal bloating
- Metallic taste
Black Box Warning of metformin (Glucophage)
Increased risk of lactic acidosis (may be fatal) with liver/renal disease, excess alcohol intake, or serious infection
Nursing implications of metformin (Glucophage)
- Contraindicated with impaired renal function, heart failure, liver failure, serious infection
- Must be held 2 days before and after receiving IV contrast
- In emergency, will do the contrast and then hold metformin and will monitor
Sulfonylureas
- 1st and 2nd generations equally effective in lowering glucose levels
- 2nd generation as fewer drug-drug interactions
- Stimulate release of insulin and increase sensitivity of insulin receptors on target cells
- Adverse effects:
- Hypoglycemia
- Weight gain
- GI distress
- Hypersensitivity reactions (caution if hypersensitivity to sulfonamide drugs)
- Hepatotoxicity
- Taken with alcohol: flushing, palpations, nausea
Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Neurodegenerative diseases cause degeneration and/or death of neurons; results in problems with movement and/or cognitive functioing
- Chronic
- Progesive
- Debilitating
- Examples: Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington’s
- Goals of pharmacotherapy: slow progression of disease, provide symptom relief
Parkinson’s Disease
- Low levels of dopamine due to loss of dopamine producing neurons
- Acetylcholine works in conjunction with dopamine to produce smooth muscle movement
- Results in decreased smooth muscle movement
- Symptoms often include tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movement), impaired balance/coordination, shuffling gait, pill-rolling
Pharmacotherapy for Parkinson’s
- Dopaminergic medications
- Dopamine replacement therapy
- Helps with motor symptoms
- Levodopa (L-dopa) is first line therapy Given in gombination with carbidopa (peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor)
- Prevents it from converting to dopaine systemically - helps reduce adverse effects of having increased dopamine in the peripherals)
- Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine
- Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier (dopamine does not)
- Other drug classes that increases dopamine levels:
- MOA-B: inhibits the breakdown of dopamine
- COMT inhibitors: inhibits the breakdown of dopamine
Therapeutic class of carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)
Antiparkinson agent
Pharmacologic class of carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet)
Dopamine agonist