ONS ONCC CHEMO RENEWAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS || 2025
LATEST UPDATE || VERIFIED
Neoadjuvant therapy does not increase survival when compared to adjuvant therapy. It
only changes the timing of treatment and can change surgical options if the tumor is
shrunk enough. If this occurs, the patient may only require a lumpectomy plus radiation
therapy instead of needing a mastectomy - ANSWER Main benefit of neoadjuvant
chemotherapy (breast cancer patient)
A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidisciplinary evaluation to assess
life expectancy and risk of morbidity and mortality in the older patient. This assessment
tool would evaluate and include the following areas: functional status, socioeconomic
issues, psychosocial distress, comorbidities, cognitive function, nutritional status,
polypharmacy, and a medication review (NCCN Older Adult Oncology Guidelines,
version 1.2015). - ANSWER Due to Mrs. Turner's age and comorbidities, her oncologist
performs a comprehensive geriatric assessment. You know that this assessment covers
all but which of the following:
65 - ANSWER The NCCN Older Adult Oncology Guidelines (version 1.2015) provides
information on what is included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Currently,
more than 60% of cancers in the United States occur in people age ______and older
and as the oncology world ages, nearly half (46%) of cancer survivors are 70 years of
age or older
Two of the agents (docetaxel and carboplatin) that Mrs. Turner will receive are
categorized as irritants. Docetaxel can cause a significant reaction if it extravasates. It
can lead to edema, erythema, occasional pain and blister formation (ONS Chemo/Bio
guidelines, 2014). That is the most likely reason that Mrs. Turner was given a port for
her treatments. Some patients will receive their treatments through a peripheral IV
without incident. Just because they are intravenous agents does not mean that a port is
required and needing a port has nothing to do with her being older in age. Since none of
these agents are vesicants, they likely could have been given safely via peripheral route
but having a port placed is OK as well. - ANSWER What is your best explanation for
why Mrs. Turner was given a port to receive her chemotherapy?
Irrirtants - ANSWER _____________can cause inflammation, pain, and burning but
rarely cause tissue necrosis comparable to a vesicant (unless a large amount or a very
high concentration of the irritant is extravasated).
Vesicants - ANSWER _____________can cause blistering and significant pain and
tissue damage and destruction, leading to tissue death.
, Non-DNA-binding solutions remain in the local area of the extravasation, which
improves the possibility of drug deactivation.
DNA-binding agents attach to DNA nucleic acids, causing the antagonist to be ingested
cellularly, leading to progressive tissue destruction - ANSWER A further classification of
an antineoplastic agent's potential to cause damage is whether its mechanism of action
includes DNA binding.
Bendamustinea
Dactinomycin
Daunorubicin
Doxorubicin
Epirubicin
Idarubicin
Mechlorethamine
Mitomycin - ANSWER DNA Binding Irritants
Amsacrine
Paclitaxel
Vinblastine
Vincristine
Vindesine
Vinorelbine - ANSWER DNA Nonbinding vessicants
Sodium thiosulfate
Inject 2 ml of sodium thiosulfate for each milligram of
mechlorethamine extravasated.
Inject subcutaneously into extravasation site using a 25
gauge or smaller needle (change needle with each injection).
Monitor extravasation site according to the institution's
policies and procedures. - ANSWER Extravasciation Alkylating / Mechlorethamine tx
Apply warm compresses.
Dexamethasone
8 mg twice daily
for 14 days - ANSWER Extravasciation Alkylating: Oxaliplatin
Totect
Apply ice pack (remove 15
minutes prior to Totect
treatment).
Infusion should be initiated within six hours of extravasation.
Infused over 1-2 hours for three days in an area other
than the extravasation site
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS || 2025
LATEST UPDATE || VERIFIED
Neoadjuvant therapy does not increase survival when compared to adjuvant therapy. It
only changes the timing of treatment and can change surgical options if the tumor is
shrunk enough. If this occurs, the patient may only require a lumpectomy plus radiation
therapy instead of needing a mastectomy - ANSWER Main benefit of neoadjuvant
chemotherapy (breast cancer patient)
A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidisciplinary evaluation to assess
life expectancy and risk of morbidity and mortality in the older patient. This assessment
tool would evaluate and include the following areas: functional status, socioeconomic
issues, psychosocial distress, comorbidities, cognitive function, nutritional status,
polypharmacy, and a medication review (NCCN Older Adult Oncology Guidelines,
version 1.2015). - ANSWER Due to Mrs. Turner's age and comorbidities, her oncologist
performs a comprehensive geriatric assessment. You know that this assessment covers
all but which of the following:
65 - ANSWER The NCCN Older Adult Oncology Guidelines (version 1.2015) provides
information on what is included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Currently,
more than 60% of cancers in the United States occur in people age ______and older
and as the oncology world ages, nearly half (46%) of cancer survivors are 70 years of
age or older
Two of the agents (docetaxel and carboplatin) that Mrs. Turner will receive are
categorized as irritants. Docetaxel can cause a significant reaction if it extravasates. It
can lead to edema, erythema, occasional pain and blister formation (ONS Chemo/Bio
guidelines, 2014). That is the most likely reason that Mrs. Turner was given a port for
her treatments. Some patients will receive their treatments through a peripheral IV
without incident. Just because they are intravenous agents does not mean that a port is
required and needing a port has nothing to do with her being older in age. Since none of
these agents are vesicants, they likely could have been given safely via peripheral route
but having a port placed is OK as well. - ANSWER What is your best explanation for
why Mrs. Turner was given a port to receive her chemotherapy?
Irrirtants - ANSWER _____________can cause inflammation, pain, and burning but
rarely cause tissue necrosis comparable to a vesicant (unless a large amount or a very
high concentration of the irritant is extravasated).
Vesicants - ANSWER _____________can cause blistering and significant pain and
tissue damage and destruction, leading to tissue death.
, Non-DNA-binding solutions remain in the local area of the extravasation, which
improves the possibility of drug deactivation.
DNA-binding agents attach to DNA nucleic acids, causing the antagonist to be ingested
cellularly, leading to progressive tissue destruction - ANSWER A further classification of
an antineoplastic agent's potential to cause damage is whether its mechanism of action
includes DNA binding.
Bendamustinea
Dactinomycin
Daunorubicin
Doxorubicin
Epirubicin
Idarubicin
Mechlorethamine
Mitomycin - ANSWER DNA Binding Irritants
Amsacrine
Paclitaxel
Vinblastine
Vincristine
Vindesine
Vinorelbine - ANSWER DNA Nonbinding vessicants
Sodium thiosulfate
Inject 2 ml of sodium thiosulfate for each milligram of
mechlorethamine extravasated.
Inject subcutaneously into extravasation site using a 25
gauge or smaller needle (change needle with each injection).
Monitor extravasation site according to the institution's
policies and procedures. - ANSWER Extravasciation Alkylating / Mechlorethamine tx
Apply warm compresses.
Dexamethasone
8 mg twice daily
for 14 days - ANSWER Extravasciation Alkylating: Oxaliplatin
Totect
Apply ice pack (remove 15
minutes prior to Totect
treatment).
Infusion should be initiated within six hours of extravasation.
Infused over 1-2 hours for three days in an area other
than the extravasation site
