Chapter 34: Biologic Response Modifiers
McCuistion: Pharmacology: A
Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach, 10th Edition
1. 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. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b. Change to intravenous (IV) interferon alpha.
c. Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
d. Obtain a serum blood urea nitrogen (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 to reduce histamine effects. It is not
necessary to obtain laboratory work when these symptoms initially occur.
\2. Prior to administration of interferon alpha, the nurse will administer which medications?
a. Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine
b. Heparin and meperidine
c. Lorazepam and furosemide
d. 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 histamine effects.
\3. Which of the following is an indication for use of IFN-B?
a. Chronic granulomatous disease.
b. Hairy cell leukemia.
c. Multiple sclerosis.
d. Kaposi sarcoma. - ANS-ANS: C
Interferon beta is indicated for treatment of relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis.
Interferon gamma is used to treat chronic granulomatous disease. Interferon alfa-2b is
indicated to treat hairy call leukemia and Kaposi sarcoma.
\4. A patient who has cancer will begin treatment with a colony-stimulating factor. The patient
verbalizes understanding of why the drug is being used with which statement?
a. "This drug permit use of higher doses of chemotherapy."
b."This drug has antitumor activity.
McCuistion: Pharmacology: A
Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach, 10th Edition
1. 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. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b. Change to intravenous (IV) interferon alpha.
c. Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
d. Obtain a serum blood urea nitrogen (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 to reduce histamine effects. It is not
necessary to obtain laboratory work when these symptoms initially occur.
\2. Prior to administration of interferon alpha, the nurse will administer which medications?
a. Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine
b. Heparin and meperidine
c. Lorazepam and furosemide
d. 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 histamine effects.
\3. Which of the following is an indication for use of IFN-B?
a. Chronic granulomatous disease.
b. Hairy cell leukemia.
c. Multiple sclerosis.
d. Kaposi sarcoma. - ANS-ANS: C
Interferon beta is indicated for treatment of relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis.
Interferon gamma is used to treat chronic granulomatous disease. Interferon alfa-2b is
indicated to treat hairy call leukemia and Kaposi sarcoma.
\4. A patient who has cancer will begin treatment with a colony-stimulating factor. The patient
verbalizes understanding of why the drug is being used with which statement?
a. "This drug permit use of higher doses of chemotherapy."
b."This drug has antitumor activity.
