A client has been prescribed melphalan for the treatment of an ovarian tumor. The client wants to know how the drug acts. Which of the following would the nurse integrate into the response?
- A. Increased acidity of the cell environment
- B. Change to a more alkaline cell environment
- C. Neutralization of the alkalinity of the cell environment
- D. Change in the cell to a neutral environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should explain to the client that the alkylating agent changes the cell to a more alkaline environment, which in turn damages malignant cells, which are more susceptible to the effects of the alkylating drugs. Alkylating drugs do not increase the acidity of the cell environment, neutralize the alkalinity of the cell environment, or change the cell to a neutral environment.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse suspects that a client is developing leukopenia and notifies the primary health care provider based on assessment of which of the following?
- A. Temperature of 100.4°F or higher
- B. Cough
- C. Sore throat
- D. Frequent urination
- E. White blood cell count of less than 2500/mm³
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: The nurse should notify the physician immediately if any of the following occur during observation of a client receiving an antineoplastic drug as they may be signs of leukopenia: temperature of 100.4°F or higher, cough, sore throat, chills, frequent urination, or a white blood cell count of less than 2500/mm³.
A client is to start chemotherapy. The client is worried about going bald in the course of the treatment. How can the nurse assist the client in being comfortable with her body image?
- A. Forewarn about hair loss as permanent
- B. Explain it is not life-threatening
- C. Suggest the use of a wig or cap
- D. Explain that hair preserves body heat
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse can assist the client in being comfortable with her body image by suggesting that the client use a wig or cap until the hair grows back. The nurse should forewarn about hair loss to prepare the client for the outcome of the treatment. The nurse should explain that hair preserves body heat and loss of hair is not life-threatening, and this will put the client at ease during treatment.
Which of the following are examples of immediate adverse reactions to an antineoplastic drug that the nurse should discuss with the client prior to drug administration?
- A. Fertility problems
- B. Extravasation
- C. Nausea
- D. Cardiotoxicity
- E. Pulmonary fibrosis
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and extravasation are examples of immediate reactions to an antineoplastic drug that the nurse should discuss with the client prior to drug administration. Fertility problems, cardiotoxicity, and pulmonary fibrosis are more long-term adverse reactions.
A nurse notifies the primary health care provider because assessment reveals signs of thrombocytopenia, including which of the following?
- A. Bleeding gums
- B. Petechiae
- C. Tarry stools
- D. Hematuria
- E. Coffee-ground emesis
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: The nurse should notify the physician immediately if any of the following occurs during observation of a client receiving an antineoplastic drug as they may be signs of thrombocytopenia: bleeding gums, easy bruising, petechiae, increased menstrual bleeding, tarry stools, hematuria, or coffee-ground emesis.
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed Velban, a vinca alkaloid. The client asks the nurse about how the drug acts. Which of the following would the nurse integrate into the response?
- A. Interference with amino acid production in the S phase.
- B. Stoppage of cells during the S and G2 phases.
- C. Inhibition of DNA synthesis during the S phase.
- D. Prevention of cell division during the S and G2 phases
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vinca alkaloids interfere with amino acid production in the S phase. Podophyllotoxins stop the cells and prevent cell division during the S and G2 phases. Camptothecin analog drugs inhibit DNA synthesis during the S phase.
Nokea