brm
1. - ANS-A patient is receiving interferon alpha (Roferon-A) subcutaneously. The patient
experiences chills, fatigue, and malaise, and the nurse assesses a temperature of 102° F. The
nurse will notify the provider of the temperature and will anticipate which order?
a. - ANS-Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b. - ANS-Change to intravenous interferon alpha.
c. - ANS-Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
d. - ANS-Obtain a serum BUN and creatinine level.
ANS: - ANS-A
The major side effects of interferon are flulike symptoms with chills, fever, fatigue, malaise, and
myalgia. Acetaminophen is given to treat this initially. Changing to an IV form does not alter the
side effects. Diphenhydramine is given for nausea caused by interferon alpha. It is not
necessary to obtain laboratory work when these symptoms initially occur. - ANS-
- ANS-2. Prior to administration of interferon alpha, the nurse will administer which
medications?
a. - ANS-Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine
b. - ANS-Heparin and meperidine
c. - ANS-Lorazepam and furosemide
d. - ANS-Narcotic analgesics and loratadine
ANS: - ANS-A
Patients receiving these drugs should be premedicated with acetaminophen to reduce chills and
fever and with diphenhydramine to reduce nausea. - ANS-
- ANS-3. A patient receiving interferon experiences confusion, somnolence, and aphasia. The
nurse will perform which action?
a. - ANS-Discontinue the medication immediately.
, b. - ANS-Inform the family that these symptoms may persist for years.
c. - ANS-Reassure the patient that these side effects are reversible.
d. - ANS-Request an order for lorazepam.
ANS: - ANS-C
Neurologic side effects, such as confusion, somnolence, and aphasia, are reversible after the
drug is stopped. It is not necessary to stop the medication unless the symptoms progress and
become severe. Lorazepam is not indicated. - ANS-
- ANS-4. The nurse is teaching a young adult patient who will begin receiving interferon. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. - ANS-"I may have a low-grade fever while taking this medication."
b. - ANS-"I may have serious cardiovascular side effects because of this drug."
c. - ANS-"I should take antiemetics prior to each dose of this medication.
d. - ANS-"I may need to avoid people who are sick while I'm taking this drug."
ANS: - ANS-C
Antiemetics should be given prior to treatment to prevent nausea from occurring. Fevers are
common and are usually high. Cardiovascular side effects tend to occur in older patients.
Neutropenia is rare with interferon and does not predispose patients to infection. - ANS-
- ANS-5. A patient who has cancer will begin treatment with a colony-stimulating factor. The
patient verbalizes understanding of this drug's action with which statement?
a. - ANS-"This drug allows higher doses of chemotherapy."
b. - ANS-"This drug has antitumor activity."
c. - ANS-"This drug has cytotoxic effects."
d. - ANS-"This drug has antiviral effects."
ANS: - ANS-A
1. - ANS-A patient is receiving interferon alpha (Roferon-A) subcutaneously. The patient
experiences chills, fatigue, and malaise, and the nurse assesses a temperature of 102° F. The
nurse will notify the provider of the temperature and will anticipate which order?
a. - ANS-Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b. - ANS-Change to intravenous interferon alpha.
c. - ANS-Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
d. - ANS-Obtain a serum BUN and creatinine level.
ANS: - ANS-A
The major side effects of interferon are flulike symptoms with chills, fever, fatigue, malaise, and
myalgia. Acetaminophen is given to treat this initially. Changing to an IV form does not alter the
side effects. Diphenhydramine is given for nausea caused by interferon alpha. It is not
necessary to obtain laboratory work when these symptoms initially occur. - ANS-
- ANS-2. Prior to administration of interferon alpha, the nurse will administer which
medications?
a. - ANS-Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine
b. - ANS-Heparin and meperidine
c. - ANS-Lorazepam and furosemide
d. - ANS-Narcotic analgesics and loratadine
ANS: - ANS-A
Patients receiving these drugs should be premedicated with acetaminophen to reduce chills and
fever and with diphenhydramine to reduce nausea. - ANS-
- ANS-3. A patient receiving interferon experiences confusion, somnolence, and aphasia. The
nurse will perform which action?
a. - ANS-Discontinue the medication immediately.
, b. - ANS-Inform the family that these symptoms may persist for years.
c. - ANS-Reassure the patient that these side effects are reversible.
d. - ANS-Request an order for lorazepam.
ANS: - ANS-C
Neurologic side effects, such as confusion, somnolence, and aphasia, are reversible after the
drug is stopped. It is not necessary to stop the medication unless the symptoms progress and
become severe. Lorazepam is not indicated. - ANS-
- ANS-4. The nurse is teaching a young adult patient who will begin receiving interferon. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. - ANS-"I may have a low-grade fever while taking this medication."
b. - ANS-"I may have serious cardiovascular side effects because of this drug."
c. - ANS-"I should take antiemetics prior to each dose of this medication.
d. - ANS-"I may need to avoid people who are sick while I'm taking this drug."
ANS: - ANS-C
Antiemetics should be given prior to treatment to prevent nausea from occurring. Fevers are
common and are usually high. Cardiovascular side effects tend to occur in older patients.
Neutropenia is rare with interferon and does not predispose patients to infection. - ANS-
- ANS-5. A patient who has cancer will begin treatment with a colony-stimulating factor. The
patient verbalizes understanding of this drug's action with which statement?
a. - ANS-"This drug allows higher doses of chemotherapy."
b. - ANS-"This drug has antitumor activity."
c. - ANS-"This drug has cytotoxic effects."
d. - ANS-"This drug has antiviral effects."
ANS: - ANS-A
