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HES 005 Session 6 SAS
HES 005 Session 6 SAS
EVERYBODY WRITES .
What are changes the body undergoes when cancer occurs?
CANCER
Cancer: is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the
body.
Types of Cancer
• Carcinoma is a cancer that starts in the skin or the tissues that line other organs. These are most commonly
diagnosed cancers
• Sarcoma is a cancer of connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.
• Leukemia is a cancer of bone marrow, which creates blood cells.
• Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers of the immune system.
• Melanoma are cancers that arise in the cells that make the pigment in the skin
• comprise one aspect of chemotherapy. These drugs act on and kill altered human cells. While their action is
intended to target abnormal cells, normal cells are also affected. These drugs can work by affecting cell survival or
by boosting the immune system in its efforts to combat the abnormal cells.
Classifications of Tumors
• Solid tumors
▪ May originate in any body organ
▪ Carcinomas (originate in epithelial cells)
▪ Sarcomas (originate in the mesenchyma)
• Hematologic malignancies
▪ Leukemias and lymphomas that occur in the blood-forming organs
Medical management of cancer includes the use of chemotherapy. First used in the early 1950s, there are now more than
80 effective drugs available.
Chemotherapy is method of choice when there is suspected or confirmed spread of malignant cells.
Mechanism of Action
• Functions at cellular level by interrupting cell life—modifies or interferes with DNA synthesis.
• Chemotherapeutic agents eradicate cells, both normal and malignant, that are in the process of cell
reproduction.
Drug Classification
Drugs classified by group into those that act on a certain phase of cell reproduction (cell cycle specific) or those that do
not reproduce (cell cycle nonspecific).
C. Other miscellaneous agents (such as Matulane [procarbazine]) are used in the chemotherapy group, but their exact
mechanism of action is unknown.
D. Hormonal agents (estrogens, androgen, progestins) work in all cycles and are used in therapy to affect the hormonal
environment (Decadron [dexamethasone], DES, Halotestin [fluoxymesterone], Nolvadex [tamoxifen], Deltasone
[prednisone]).
• Affect the growth of hormone-dependent tumors.
• Steroids interfere with the synthesis of protein and alter cell metabolism (lymphomas and leukemias).
E. Combination chemotherapy.
• Most often administered in combination, which enhances the response rate: for example, Adriamycin,
Blenoxane (bleomycin), Velban, and dacarbazine (ABVD) used for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Studies at Stanford University now suggest ABVD and a fifth or sixth chemotherapy drug be combined with
Deltasone (for its antiinflammatory effect) for 3 months for Hodgkin’s disease.
• Cancer cells divide erratically on different schedules; thus drugs that are effective alone and have different
mechanisms of action can combine to destroy even more cells.
• Drugs used in combination for synergistic activity.
• Guidelines for drug administration are carefully planned and referred to as protocols or regimens.
a. Package inserts are based on single-agent therapy, so it is important to adhere to the ordered protocol.
b. Dosages of drugs are based on height and weight calculated as body surface area.
Goals of Treatment
A. The major goal is to cure the malignancy.
• Chemotherapy, as primary mode of treatment, may include curing certain malignancies such as acute
lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphosarcomas, Wilms’ tumor.
• Cure may also occur in combination with other modes of treatment, radiation, or surgery.
B. Control may be the goal when cure is not realistic; the aim is to extend survival and improve the quality of life.
C. Palliation may be the goal when neither cure nor control may be achieved; this goal is directed toward client
comfort.
Chemotherapeutic Administration
A. Chemotherapeutic agents are administered through a variety of routes.
• Oral route—used frequently. Safety precautions must be observed.
• Intramuscular and subcutaneous used infrequently, as drugs are not vesicants.
• Intravenous is the most common route—provides for better absorption.
a. Potential complications: infection, phlebitis.
b. Prevention of complications: Use smallest gauge needle possible; maintain aseptic technique; monitor
intravenous (IV) site frequently; change IV fluid every 4 hours.
• Central venous catheter infusion—used for continuous or intermittent infusions.
a. Potential complications: infection, catheter clotting, sepsis, malposition of needle.
b. Prevention of complications: Maintain aseptic technique and monitor site daily; flush catheter daily and
between each use with heparin solution; assess client for signs of sepsis.
• Venous access devices (VADs)—used for prolonged infusions.
a. Potential complications: infection and infiltration from malposition.
b. Assess site frequently and assess for systemic infection.
• Intra-arterial route—delivers agents directly to tumor in high concentrations while decreasing drug’s systemic
toxic effect.
a. Potential complications: infection or bleeding at catheter site, catheter clotting,or pump malfunction.
b. Change dressing site daily and assess for signs of infection; irrigate catheter with heparin solution and avoid
kinks in tubing.
• Intraperitoneal—used for ovarian and colon cancer. High concentration of agents delivered to peritoneal cavity
via catheter, then drained.
• Other less frequently used routes are intrapleural, intrathecal, and ventricular reservoir.
B. Factors for deciding dosage and timing of drugs.
• Dosage calculated on body surface area and kilograms of body weight.
• Time lapse between doses to allow recovery of normal cells.
• Side effects of each drug and when they are
likely to occur.
• Liver and kidney function, as most antineoplastics are metabolized in one of these organs.
Nursing Considerations
Nursing Assessment
These are the important things the nurse should include in conducting assessment, history taking, and examination:
• Assess for the mentioned cautions and contraindications (e.g. drug allergies, hepatorenal impairment, bone
marrow suppression, pregnancy and lactation, etc.) to prevent any untoward complications.
Nursing Diagnoses
Here are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of these drugs for therapy:
• Acute pain related to GI, CNS, and skin effects of the drug
• Disturbed body image related to alopecia, skin effects, and impaired fertility
• Anxiety related to diagnosis
• Risk for infection related to bone marrow suppression
Implementation
These are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking alkylating agents:
• Arrange for blood tests before, periodically during, and for at least 3 weeks after therapy to monitor bone
marrow function to aid in determining the need for a change in dose or discontinuation of the drug.
• Administer medication according to scheduled protocol and in combination with other drugs as indicated to
improve effectiveness.
• Ensure that patient is well hydrated to decrease risk of renal toxicity.
• Protect the patient from infection; limit invasive procedures when bone marrow suppression limits the patient’s
immune/inflammatory responses.
• Provide small, frequent meals, frequent mouth care, and dietary consultation as appropriate to maintain
nutrition when GI effects are severe.
• Arrange for proper head covering at extremes of temperature if alopecia occurs; a wig, scarf, or hat is
important for maintaining body temperature.
• Plan for rest periods because fatigue and weakness are common effects of the drug.
Evaluation
Here are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:
• Monitor patient response to therapy (alleviation of cancer being treated, palliation of signs and symptoms of
cancer).
• Monitor for adverse effects (bone marrow suppression, GI toxicity, neurotoxicity, and alopecia, renal or hepatic
dysfunction).
• Evaluate patient understanding on drug therapy by asking patient to name the drug, its indication, and adverse
effects to watch for.
• Monitor patient compliance to drug therapy.
Multiple Choice
1. Chemotherapy dosing is usually based on the total body surface. What should the nurse do before administering
chemotherapy?
a. Get the body mass index (BMI).
b. Ask the client about intake and output.
c. Weigh and measure the height of the patient on the day of administration.
d. Ask the client for the height and weight.
ANSWER: C
RATIO: Weigh and measure the height of the patient on the day of administration should the nurse do before administering
chemotherapy.
3. Mitomycin (Mutamycin) is prescribed to a client with colorectal cancer. All of which are the routes of administration,
except?
a. Oral
b. Intravenous
c. Intravesical
d. Intraarterial
ANSWER: A
RATIO: Except oral route, is not a route of administration of Mitomycin.
4. The client with a testicular cancer is being treated with Etoposide (Etopophos). Which of the following side effect is
specifically associated with this medication?
a. Chest pain
b. Edema
c. Alopecia
d. Orthostatic hypotension
ANSWER: D
RATIO: Orthostatic hypotension side effect is specifically associated with Etoposide.
5. The clinic nurse provides instructions to a client receiving an antineoplastic medication. When implementing the plan,
the nurse tells the client to?
a. To drink beverages containing alcohol in moderate amount during the evening.
b. To avoid hot foods and high fiber rich foods.
c. To take acetylsalicylic acid as needed for headache.
d. To consult with health care providers before receiving immunization.
ANSWER: D
RATIO: The nurse tells the client to consult with health care providers before receiving immunization. _
6. The nurse is providing teachings to a client receiving cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). The nurse tells the client to which
of the following?
a. Eat foods rich in potassium.
b. Increase fluid intake to 2-3 liters per day.
c. Take the medication with food.
d. Eat foods rich in purine.
ANSWER: B
RATIO: The nurse tells the client to increase fluid intake to 2-3 liters per day.
7. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving an Iv infusion of an antineoplastic medication. During the infusion, the patient
complains of pain and redness at the insertion site. The nurse should take which actions? Select all that apply.
a. Reinsert the IV at a distal part of the same vein.
b. Increase the flow rate of the medication.
c. Notify the physician.
8. The nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy when an anaphylactic reaction occurs from the medication. The
nurse should take which actions? Select all that apply.
a. Stop the medication.
b. Remove the IV line.
c. Administer Oxygen.
d. Administer epinephrine.
e. Positioned the client in a reverse Trendelenburg position.
ANSWER: A, C, D
RATIO: The nurse should take these actions: stop the medication, administer oxygen, and administer epinephrine.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving Fluorouracil (Adrucil). Which of the following symptoms would
necessitate the nurse to immediate discontinuation of the medication?
a. Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.
b. Ataxia.
c. Constipation.
d. Insomnia.
ANSWER: B
RATIO: Ataxia symptom would necessitate the nurse to immediate discontinuation of the medication.
10. Nausea and vomiting are frequent adverse effects associated with antineoplastic therapy. What should the nurse advise
clients experiencing these unpleasant adverse effects?
a. Increase intake of dry or high-fiber foods, and foods that have a rough texture.
b. Consider relaxation techniques because these symptoms should improve over time.
c. Use antacids to relieve the irritation to the stomach, which should stop the nausea.
d. Try to maintain hydration and nutrition, which are very important during treatment.
ANSWER: D
RATIO: Try to maintain nutrition and hydration, which are very important during treatment should the nurse advise clients
experiencing these unpleasant adverse effects.
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track how much work you have accomplished and how much work there is left to do.
You are done with the session! Let’s track your progress.
For next session, review Anti- Inflammatory Drugs, Vaccines & Sera