Questions and Answers
Which nursing care will be included for a client who is receiving doxorubicin for acute
myelogenous leukemia?
Increasing citrus foods
Providing frequent oral hygiene
Encouraging activity
Administering medications parenterally - ANS Stomatitis and hyperuricemia are possible
complications of therapy; therefore oral care and hydration are important. A cidic foods such as
citrus foods and fluids will cause pain for clients with stomatitis. Rest, not increased activity, is
important for increased fatigability. Abnormal bleeding is a common problem; thus injections
(administering medications parenterally) are contraindicated.
133) Which intervention would the nurse take to improve nutrition after identifying that a
client receiving chemotherapy has lost weight? Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses
may be .
Provide low-carbohydrate meals.
Decrease fluid intake at mealtime.
Encourage the intake of preferred foods.
Promote the intake of small, frequent meals
Administer prescribed antiemetics before meals - ANS -Encourage the intake of preferred
foods.
Pg. 1 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,-Promote the intake of small, frequent meals
-Administer prescribed antiemetics before meals
Rationale
Selecting preferred foods increases the likelihood of the client eating the food. Small, frequent
feedings are better tolerated than large meals. Antiemetics should be administered
prophylactically to decrease nausea and enhance appetite. The diet should provide maximum
protein and carbohydrates to meet demands related to restoration of body cells and energy.
Decreasing fluid intake may have deleterious effects.
Which statement by a client with metastatic melanoma who is being treated with interferon
gamma 1b indicates that teaching was understood?
"I will increase my fluid intake to several liters (quarts) every day."
"I need to discard any reconstituted solution at the end of the week."
"I can continue driving my car as before as long as I have the stamina."
"I should be able to continue my usual activity while taking this medication." - ANS "I will
increase my fluid intake to several liters (quarts) every day."
Rationale
Increasing fluid intake to several liters (quarts) every day helps flush the kidneys and prevent
nephrotoxicity, especially during the early phase of treatment. Reconstituted solution can be
stored in the refrigerator for 1 month. Confusion, dizziness, and hallucinations are adverse
effects of this medication; the client should avoid hazardous tasks, such as driving or using
machinery. Activity may have to be altered because fatigue and other flu-like symptoms are
common with this medication.
Which information will the nurse share about alopecia characteristics to a client who is to
receive chemotherapy after surgery for cancer?
Usually rare
Pg. 2 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
,Not permanent
Frequently prolonged
Usually preventable - ANS Not permanent
Rationale
Once the medications that interfere with cell division are stopped, the hair will grow back;
sometimes the hair will be a different color or texture. Alopecia is a common side effect of
chemotherapy. Hair loss persists while the medications are being received; once the
medications are withdrawn, the hair grows back. Although ice caps on the head and rubber
bands around the scalp have been used to try to limit alopecia, they have not been particularly
effective.
Which common side effect will the nurse address in the care plan of a client with cancer
receiving the plant alkaloid vincristine?
Color-blindness
Anuria
Constipation
Hyperphosphatemia - ANS Constipation
Rationale
Although most chemotherapy causes diarrhea, vincristine can cause severe constipation,
impaction, or paralytic ileus. Visual changes may occur, but color-blindness is not one of them.
Polyuria, not anuria, is common. Hyperuricemia may occur, but hyperphosphatemia is not
associated with this medication.
Which toxic effect would a nurse monitor for in a client who is prescribed vincristine?
Peripheral paresthesia
Anginal-type chest pain
Pg. 3 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
, Ophthalmic papilledema
Bilateral crackles in the lung - ANS Peripheral paresthesia
Rationale
Peripheral paresthesia is an indication of toxicity from a plant alkaloid such as vincristine.
Anginal-type chest pain, ophthalmic papilledema, and bilateral crackles in the lung are not side
effects of this medication.
Which benefit is provided by intraarterial chemotherapy for cancer of the liver?
It reduces systemic toxicity.
It provides for rapid dilution of chemotherapy.
The medication bypasses the blood-brain barrier.
The chemotherapy is delivered to the peritoneal cavity. - ANS It reduces systemic toxicity.
Rationale
Higher concentrations of the medication can be delivered to the specific site of the tumor, with
reduced systemic toxicity. Providing for rapid dilution of chemotherapy is the purpose of
central vascular access devices. The ability to pass the blood-brain barrier is the purpose of
intrathecal or intraventricular access devices. Delivering chemotherapy to the peritoneal cavity
is the purpose of intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
Which concept is important to teach a client in relation to why medication cocktails are more
effective than a single medication in cancer therapy?
Medication resistance
Tumor doubling time
Cellular growth cycle
Retained radioactive particles - ANS Cellular growth cycle
Pg. 4 Copyright © 2025 Jasonmcconell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.