Chapter 52 Antineoplastic Drugs Part 1 Cancer Overview and Cell Cycle–Specific Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. One patient has cancer of the bone; a second patient has cancer in the connective tissues of the leg
muscles; and a third patient has cancer in the vascular tissues. Which type of tumour is common to
these patients?
a. Sarcoma
b. Leukemia c. Carcinoma d. Lymphoma
ANS A
Sarcoma, a malignant tumour that arises from connective tissues, is common to these three patients.
Connective tissue can be found in bone, cartilage, muscle, blood, lymphatic, and vascular tissue.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. What is the nurse’s best immediate response if extravasation of an antineoplastic drug occurs during
intravenous (IV)
administration?
a. Reduction of the infusion rate
b. Discontinuation of the IV and application of warm compresses
c. Changing the infusion to normal saline and injecting the area with hydrocortisone
d. Stopping the infusion immediately but leaving the IV tube in place for administration of an
antidote
ANS D
If extravasation is suspected, administration of the drug must be stopped immediately, but the IV tube
should be left in place and the appropriate antidote instilled through the existing IV tube. Agency
protocol should be followed.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
, 3. A patient is receiving a third course of 5-fluorouracil therapy and knows that stomatitis is a potential
adverse effect of antineoplastic therapy. What important information should the nurse give the patient
about this adverse effect?
a. Aspirin should be taken to prevent development of stomatitis.
b. The patient should watch for and report black tarry stools immediately.
c. The patient should increase the intake of foods containing fibre and citric acid.
d. The patient should examine the mouth daily for bleeding, white spots, and ulcerations.
ANS D
The symptoms of stomatitis consist of bleeding, white spots, and ulcerations of the mouth, all of which
need to be reported to the health care provider immediately.
Assessing stools is important, but abnormal stools are not related to stomatitis. Aspirin should not be
used during this therapy. Patients on 5-fluorouracil should avoid consuming foods high in fibre, foods
containing citric acid, and hot or cold foods.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
4. A patient has had a first course of antineoplastic therapy and is experiencing gastrointestinal adverse
effects, including anorexia and nausea. Which is an appropriate goal for the patient dealing with these
adverse effects?
a. To eat three balanced meals a day within 4 days
b. To return to the normal eating pattern within 1 month
c. To maintain normal weight by consuming healthy snacks as tolerated
d. To maintain a diet of six frequent feedings with a nutritional supplement as a snack for 2 weeks
ANS D
Small frequent feedings and nutritional supplementation are the ideal means of improving nutrition
during antineoplastic therapy.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. One patient has cancer of the bone; a second patient has cancer in the connective tissues of the leg
muscles; and a third patient has cancer in the vascular tissues. Which type of tumour is common to
these patients?
a. Sarcoma
b. Leukemia c. Carcinoma d. Lymphoma
ANS A
Sarcoma, a malignant tumour that arises from connective tissues, is common to these three patients.
Connective tissue can be found in bone, cartilage, muscle, blood, lymphatic, and vascular tissue.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. What is the nurse’s best immediate response if extravasation of an antineoplastic drug occurs during
intravenous (IV)
administration?
a. Reduction of the infusion rate
b. Discontinuation of the IV and application of warm compresses
c. Changing the infusion to normal saline and injecting the area with hydrocortisone
d. Stopping the infusion immediately but leaving the IV tube in place for administration of an
antidote
ANS D
If extravasation is suspected, administration of the drug must be stopped immediately, but the IV tube
should be left in place and the appropriate antidote instilled through the existing IV tube. Agency
protocol should be followed.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
, 3. A patient is receiving a third course of 5-fluorouracil therapy and knows that stomatitis is a potential
adverse effect of antineoplastic therapy. What important information should the nurse give the patient
about this adverse effect?
a. Aspirin should be taken to prevent development of stomatitis.
b. The patient should watch for and report black tarry stools immediately.
c. The patient should increase the intake of foods containing fibre and citric acid.
d. The patient should examine the mouth daily for bleeding, white spots, and ulcerations.
ANS D
The symptoms of stomatitis consist of bleeding, white spots, and ulcerations of the mouth, all of which
need to be reported to the health care provider immediately.
Assessing stools is important, but abnormal stools are not related to stomatitis. Aspirin should not be
used during this therapy. Patients on 5-fluorouracil should avoid consuming foods high in fibre, foods
containing citric acid, and hot or cold foods.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
4. A patient has had a first course of antineoplastic therapy and is experiencing gastrointestinal adverse
effects, including anorexia and nausea. Which is an appropriate goal for the patient dealing with these
adverse effects?
a. To eat three balanced meals a day within 4 days
b. To return to the normal eating pattern within 1 month
c. To maintain normal weight by consuming healthy snacks as tolerated
d. To maintain a diet of six frequent feedings with a nutritional supplement as a snack for 2 weeks
ANS D
Small frequent feedings and nutritional supplementation are the ideal means of improving nutrition
during antineoplastic therapy.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
