Deck 19: Drugs Used in the Treatment of Neoplasms

Question 1

The vinca alkaloids derive their cytotoxic effect by inhibiting tubulin.Which agent within this class of drugs prevents the breakdown of the microtubules during mitosis,causing clogging and the inability of cancer cells to grow and divide?

A)vinblastine (Velbane)
B)vincristine (Oncovin)
C)vinorelbine (Navelbine)
D)paclitaxel (Taxol)

Answer 1

paclitaxel (Taxol)

Question 2

The main effects of myelosuppression are anemia,leukopenia,and thrombocytopenia.Following chemotherapy,the rate at which a patient develops one or all of these sequelae depend on the nadir.At what point in time is a patient most likely to develop anemia?

A)Within 3 hours of chemotherapy administration
B)Within 10 days of chemotherapy administration
C)Within 35 days of chemotherapy administration
D)Within 15 weeks of chemotherapy administration

Answer 2

Within 35 days of chemotherapy administration

Question 3

Approximately 70% to 80% of patients receiving cytotoxic drugs (chemotherapy)have some degree of nausea and vomiting,which can be very distressful and can limit function.Which agent is useful in combating this nausea?

A)rituximab (Rituxan)
B)ondansetron (Zofran)
C)interferon
D)goserelin (Zoladex)

Answer 3

ondansetron (Zofran)

Question 4

Antimetabolite cancer agents interfere with DNA and RNA formation.They are chemicals that inhibit the normal use of a metabolite by cells during the cell cycle.During what portion of the cell cycle are antimetabolites most effective?

A)Prophase
B)S phase
C)M phase
D)G1 phase

Question 5

The prescription of cytotoxic medications commonly follows strict clinical protocols that have been shown to be effective for a particular cancer through experience.Which of the following is not a suggested protocol?

A)Dosing by body surface area
B)Dosing by age
C)Determining length of treatment by the cell-kill theory
D)Dosing in cycles

Question 6

Why are cytotoxic medications administered in cycles with periods of no administration in between?

A)To allow a patient's system to accumulate the effect of cytotoxic medication over subsequent administrations
B)Because cytotoxic agents also destroy noncancerous cells,and the body needs time to recuperate lost cells to avoid or decrease potential adverse effects
C)To allow the cytotoxic agent more careful selection of the targeted cancerous cells,which increases its effect
D)To allow the patient a rest period in which to take noncytotoxic agents that may otherwise have cross-reactions

Question 7

A patient is about to begin chemotherapy for a small cell lung tumor.The tumor is theorized to have 1,000,000 cells.If the tumor is exposed to a drug that has an 80% cell kill rate,the first chemotherapy dose will kill 80%,or 800,000,of the targeted cancer cells.The second dose will kill another 80% of the remaining cancer cells.What is this an example of?

A)The cell cycle
B)Leukemogenicity
C)The cell kill theory
D)Growth fraction

Question 8

A cancer patient being treated with cell cycle-specific chemotherapeutic agents develops a neutropenic fever.Which intervention is not an effective strategy for the management of this fever?

A)Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration immediately following chemotherapy
B)Administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic
C)Administration of colony-stimulating factors
D)Growth factor administration 26 hours following chemotherapy

Question 9

Several chemotherapeutic agents are considered cell-cycle nonspecific.Which agent interferes with DNA replication to prevent cells from reproducing but commonly produces major hematopoietic,gastrointestinal,and reproductive system toxicities?

A)chlorambucil (Leukeran)
B)5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
C)procarbazine (Matulane)
D)trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Question 10

Some naturally occurring chemotherapeutic agents stimulate and enhance the patient's immune system.Which agents are designated by the suffix "-mab"?

A)Those originating from herbal suspensions
B)Those originating from murine cells
C)Those originating from equine cells
D)Those originating from human antibodies

Question 11

Administration of a cytotoxic agent commonly utilizes the IV route.Which vascular access device is the equipment of choice for an intermediate-length chemotherapeutic when a regular IV is not advisable?

A)Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
B)Heparin lock
C)Tunneled central venous catheter
D)Midline catheter

Question 12

In essence,chemotherapy and antineoplastic therapy can both be characterized as therapy designed to:

A)Harm or kill living cells,whether targeted or not.
B)Use chemicals to harm malignant cells.
C)Stop the spread of cancer.
D)Seek and destroy malignancies.

Question 13

Some chemotherapy is especially effective if administered directly into the affected organ.It may be introduced and remain or drained after several hours.For which type of cancer is an intraperitoneal route of administration highly effective?

A)Bladder cancer
B)Ovarian cancer that has spread to the peritoneum
C)Lung cancer that has spread to the pleura
D)Mesothelioma

Question 14

Risk factors are an important player in cancer cases and one or more can be found relevant in what percentage of cases?

A)95%
B)75%
C)50%
D)35%

Question 15

In general,for fast-dividing human cells,what is the approximate cell cycle time?

A)24 hours
B)1 year
C)8 minutes
D)6 hours

Question 16

A cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy has questions about hair loss.Which statement should you make to him?

A)"Alopecia happens to everyone undergoing chemotherapy."
B)"Loss of eyebrows,eyelashes,pubic hair,and body hair is usually more severe because the growth is more active in these hair follicles than in the scalp."
C)"The extent of hair loss depends on which drugs are given,drug doses,and the length of treatment."
D)"Hair loss is permanent."

Question 17

Which item is not a prognostic factor for cancer treatment?

A)Cancer type
B)Cancer stage at the time of diagnosis
C)Presence of histological markers
D)Early detection

Question 18

Why do patients most commonly experience adverse effects from hematological,gastrointestinal,and integumentary system cancers?

A)The most rapidly dividing and multiplying cells are found within these systems.
B)The cells in these systems have the greatest number of surface antigens.
C)The cells in these systems are more likely to undergo mutations.
D)The most mature cells are found within these systems.

Question 19

Amifostine (Ethyol)is a cytoprotective agent used to reduce potential renal toxicity associated with cumulative doses of cisplatin (Platinol).To which class of chemotherapeutic agents does it belong?

A)Cytoprotective agents
B)Biologic response modifiers
C)Vinca alkaloids
D)Antitumor antibodies

Question 20

Patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia can suffer serious and potentially life-threatening blood loss.What patient education point would least likely help a patient avoid such an event?

A)Postpone invasive dental procedures
B)Encourage the patient to use stool softeners
C)Eat a high-fiber diet
D)Limit exposure to the sun