EXAM 4-Antineoplastic drugs

Question 1

antineoplastic drugs

Answer 1

• Used in Rx of malignant /benign disease that can be cancer

- -May not always lead to cure, but may slow the growth rate of tumor and delay metastasis (spreading)

Question 2

actions of antineoplastic drugs

Answer 2

• affect cells that rapidly divide and reproduce
• Normal cells of oral cavity and GI tract, cells of gonads, bone marrow, hair follicles and lymph tissue also rapidly divide
• effect normal as well as cancerous cells

Question 3

Alkylating drugs interfere with -

Answer 3

process of cell division

Question 4

Antineoplastic antibiotics

Answer 4

interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis

Question 5

Antimetabolites

Answer 5

• interfere with various metabolic functions = useful in rapidly dividing cancer cells
• -Methotrexate

Question 6

hormones

Answer 6

counteract the effect of male or female hormones in hormone dependent tumors

• -Rx of prostate cancers
• -Breast cancers

Question 7

uses of antineoplastic drugs

Answer 7

Drugs given alone or in combination

Many times combos have better results

Question 8

adverse reactions of antineoplastic drugs

Answer 8

• Reactions may be dose dependent
• Reactions based on effect drug may have on cells of the body
• Many serious reactions
• May be only alternative to not treating at all
• May be able to give prophylaxis treatment against nausea or fluid loss

Question 9

nursing process

Answer 9

• Vital Signs
• Weight
• Dose of drugs based on weight or body surface area
• Pre-treat
• Lab studies
• Bone marrow depression
• Live function tests
• Specialized training involved
• Gloves since meds are toxic and can be absorbed through skin
• Infusion pumps = watch IV site.
• Patient may react differently with s/s of side effects
• Emotional aspect of pt, family, nurse

Question 10

managing side effects

Answer 10

• Pre-treat
• Wigs for alopecia
• Small frequent meals
• -Oral sores
• Anti-emetics
• Monitor for infection
• -Due to loss of WBC and abilty to fight infection