NURS 251: Pharmacology and
Dosage with Lab Test 3: Blueprint
Comprehensive Guide
(2023 Edition)
Test 3
40 questions worth 2 points each
Testing Date
Exam 3 is scheduled for Week 7. See Communication Course Calendar
Module 3 Outcomes: Drugs that Act on the Immune System
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Cancer and Antineoplastic Therapy
• Explain the role of antineoplastic therapy in the treatment of cancer.
• Develop a nursing plan of care using nursing process for a patient receiving chemotherapy.
Biologic and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) Therapy
• Describe the mechanism of action, therapeutic purpose, cautions, contraindications, common
adverse and toxic effects of biologic response-modifying and antirheumatic drugs:
o Filgrastim
Indications/therapeutic purpose
Prevent or reduce febrile neutropenia in patients receiving myelosuppressive
antineoplastics for NONMYELOID (bone marrow) malignancies
reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of infection
Contraindications/interactions
Allergy
Do NOT give in the presence of more than 10% myeloid blasts (these are immature
tumor cells in the bone marrow) as malignant growth may be stimulated
Effect is antagonized when administered with myelosuppressive chemotherapy agents
Adverse effects
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
,Mild to moderate bone pain
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
, Direction/Advise
Do not give within 24 hours of administration of myelosuppressive chemotherapy but
give promptly after this time frame to prevent the WBC nadir from dropping too low
Must be given prior to a patient developing an infection
Assess for manifestations of infection, teach patient to report sore throat, vomiting,
diarrhea, fever of 100.5 or greater to HCP
discontinue when the absolute neutrophil count rises above 10,000 cells/mm3
administer analgesics as required for pain
pregnancy should be discouraged during treatment of cancer, use appropriate
contraceptives
o monoclonal antibodies (general)/biosimilars
indications/therapeutic purpose
treatment of cancer
autoimmune disorders
organ transplantation
contraindications/interactions
allergy
active infection and HIV
tumor necrosis factor antagonists are contraindicated in patients with active TB or
other serious infections: FDA: BOX WARNING: increase risk of serious infection or
lymphoma or other malignancies
specific interactions vary by drug
adverse effects
classic “allergic response”
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
, flulike symptoms including fever, dyspnea, chills
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
depression, insomnia, headache, fatigue
hypertension
Direction/Advise
generic name ends in “mab”
if a patient has hypersensitivity, premedicate with acetaminophen and
diphenhydramine
Assess/report symptoms of infection: sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, fever
teach infection control such as handwashing, avoiding contact with sick
persons, avoid crowds – appropriate masking, clean environment
screen for TB prior to starting therapy
monitor CBC prior to and during therapy
o methotrexate
indications/therapeutic purpose
anticancer drug (breast, head &neck, and lung cancers) commonly used for the treatment of
RA at much lower doses
than needed to treat cancer
antiinflammatory, analgesic, antiarthritic, with immune modulating effects to slow or stop
progression of RA
may also be used to treat psoriasis
contraindications/interactions
allergies
liver disease
Peptic ulcer disease
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
Dosage with Lab Test 3: Blueprint
Comprehensive Guide
(2023 Edition)
Test 3
40 questions worth 2 points each
Testing Date
Exam 3 is scheduled for Week 7. See Communication Course Calendar
Module 3 Outcomes: Drugs that Act on the Immune System
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Cancer and Antineoplastic Therapy
• Explain the role of antineoplastic therapy in the treatment of cancer.
• Develop a nursing plan of care using nursing process for a patient receiving chemotherapy.
Biologic and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) Therapy
• Describe the mechanism of action, therapeutic purpose, cautions, contraindications, common
adverse and toxic effects of biologic response-modifying and antirheumatic drugs:
o Filgrastim
Indications/therapeutic purpose
Prevent or reduce febrile neutropenia in patients receiving myelosuppressive
antineoplastics for NONMYELOID (bone marrow) malignancies
reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of infection
Contraindications/interactions
Allergy
Do NOT give in the presence of more than 10% myeloid blasts (these are immature
tumor cells in the bone marrow) as malignant growth may be stimulated
Effect is antagonized when administered with myelosuppressive chemotherapy agents
Adverse effects
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
,Mild to moderate bone pain
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
, Direction/Advise
Do not give within 24 hours of administration of myelosuppressive chemotherapy but
give promptly after this time frame to prevent the WBC nadir from dropping too low
Must be given prior to a patient developing an infection
Assess for manifestations of infection, teach patient to report sore throat, vomiting,
diarrhea, fever of 100.5 or greater to HCP
discontinue when the absolute neutrophil count rises above 10,000 cells/mm3
administer analgesics as required for pain
pregnancy should be discouraged during treatment of cancer, use appropriate
contraceptives
o monoclonal antibodies (general)/biosimilars
indications/therapeutic purpose
treatment of cancer
autoimmune disorders
organ transplantation
contraindications/interactions
allergy
active infection and HIV
tumor necrosis factor antagonists are contraindicated in patients with active TB or
other serious infections: FDA: BOX WARNING: increase risk of serious infection or
lymphoma or other malignancies
specific interactions vary by drug
adverse effects
classic “allergic response”
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
, flulike symptoms including fever, dyspnea, chills
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
depression, insomnia, headache, fatigue
hypertension
Direction/Advise
generic name ends in “mab”
if a patient has hypersensitivity, premedicate with acetaminophen and
diphenhydramine
Assess/report symptoms of infection: sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, fever
teach infection control such as handwashing, avoiding contact with sick
persons, avoid crowds – appropriate masking, clean environment
screen for TB prior to starting therapy
monitor CBC prior to and during therapy
o methotrexate
indications/therapeutic purpose
anticancer drug (breast, head &neck, and lung cancers) commonly used for the treatment of
RA at much lower doses
than needed to treat cancer
antiinflammatory, analgesic, antiarthritic, with immune modulating effects to slow or stop
progression of RA
may also be used to treat psoriasis
contraindications/interactions
allergies
liver disease
Peptic ulcer disease
Latest Comprehensive Guide 2023
