Deck 19: Antineoplastic Drugs

Question 1

Define each of the terms listed below.
Leukopenia _______________________________________________________________

Answer 1

The term 'Leukopenia' is referred to as reduction in the number of leukocytes in the blood. It is one of the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. The number of leukocytes decreases to 4000 µL or even less than that.
This condition is caused by depression of the bone marrow. Therefore, it is regarded to be a side effect that occurs secondarily to the chemotherapeutic agents. The drugs used for the treatment of cancer are known as chemotherapeutic agents and the procedure is known as chemotherapy.
The adverse reactions of administering Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in combination cause some life-threatening conditions like leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased bone marrow depression. It can also cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome and renal failure.

Question 2

Define each of the terms listed below.
Cell ______________________________________________________________________

Answer 2

A cell is the smallest unit of living organism and it is the building block of all organism. All the living organisms are made up of one cell (Bacteria) or group of cells (Humans).Several cells that are interconnected with each other and perform a specific function to form a Tissues. Several Tissues that are organized to form an Organ. Several organ make an Organ system. A human body can built 100 trillions of cells.
Basically Living organisms are highly organized and structured from small to large. In most of the cases many other types of organisms come together to form structures called an organelles. Organelles are the small structures that exists within the cells that perform specific function. So all organisms are consists of microscopic structure that are function independently. Most of the cells that are highly coordinated with in the biochemical activities on the basic functions of the life.
Generally each cell works with the other cell to carry out the complex activities that keeps the body to work smoothly. Cells are specialized to do certain jobs, they are designed to form the protective coatings and linings of the body. Some are specialized in producing chemicals that are controlled by the body processes. Other are specialized by connecting body parts.
So, according to the statement, cell is the basic unit of the living organisms. Each cell contains certain functions to keep itself alive.

Question 3

Define each of the terms listed below.
Cytotoxic _________________________________________________________________

Answer 3

The cytotoxic is a process that results in the cell damage or cell death. The word cyto means cell and toxic means poison. It is used to describe chemotherapy drugs that will kill cancer cells and also used to describe the toxins such as venom. The cells are considered cytotoxic, such as T cell that kill bacteria viruses and cancer cells.
In cytotoxic the cells may undergo necrosis, which may lose membrane integrity and die as a result of cell lysis. The necrosis cells that rapidly exhibit swelling, lose membrane integrity, shut down metabolism and release to its environment. Most probably the cytotoxic drug or agent may differentiated from that is cytostatic.
Cytotoxic drugs that works by interrupting cells in a particular places of the cell growth that grow rapidly. The chemotherapy regimens are the most important and includes a combination of drugs. In most of the chemotherapy cases the cycles are repeatedly done because the cells will grow and divide on various places of the cell processes of the body.
So, according to the statement, cytotoxic is a substance that is used to treat with the toxic cells. The substances that are used in the treatment of malignant and other diseases.

Question 4

Define each of the terms listed below.
Tumor ___________________________________________________________________

Question 5

Define each of the terms listed below.
Chemotherapy ____________________________________________________________

Question 6

Define each of the terms listed below.
Metastasis ________________________________________________________________

Question 7

Define each of the terms listed below.
Malignant ________________________________________________________________

Question 8

Define each of the terms listed below.
Alopecia _________________________________________________________________

Question 9

Define each of the terms listed below.
Benign ___________________________________________________________________

Question 10

Define each of the terms listed below.
Neoplasm _________________________________________________________________

Question 11

Define each of the terms listed below.
Stomatitis _________________________________________________________________

Question 12

Match the appropriate term to the characteristic or description.

Question 13

Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
What are the characteristics of cancer cells?________________________________

Question 14

Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
How long before treatment should you administer an antiemetic to alleviate nausea?
___________________________________________________________________________________

Question 15

Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
Antineoplastics harm healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Which parts of the body are especially affected by chemotherapy? ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Question 16

Match the drug categories to the drug names.

Question 17

Drug Calculations
The physician orders filgrastim ( Neupogen ) 210 mcg subcutaneously daily. Available is 300 mcg/1 mL. Prepare to administer _________ mL to your patient.

Question 18

Drug Calculations
The physician orders methotrexate 15 mg intramuscularly for 5 days. Available is 50 mg/2 mL. Prepare to administer _________ mL to your patient.

Question 19

Drug Calculations
The physician orders tamoxifen ( Nolvadex ) 15 mg orally bid. Available are 10-mg tablets. You will give your patient _________ tablets.

Question 20

Drug Calculations
The physician orders temozolomide ( Temodar ) 150 mg orally daily for 5 days. Available are 100-mg tablets. You will give _________ tablets to your patient.

Question 21

Drug Calculations
The physician orders mercaptopurine ( Purinethol ) 100 mg orally daily. Available are 50-mg tablets. You will give your patient __________ tablets.

Question 22

Circle the correct letter.
When administering a nitrogen mustard, what should you include in the care?

A) Instruct the patient to avoid showering before each application when applied to the skin.
B) Do not wear gloves when administering.
C) Monitor for immediate side effects of nausea and vomiting.
D) Reconstitute the IV drug with a dextrose solution.

Question 23

Circle the correct letter.
A patient asks how an antibiotic works in chemotherapy. What is the best response?

A) Helps fight infection
B) Stops the growth of cancer cells
C) Is a preventive therapy
D) Calms the stomach when there is a GI upset

Question 24

Circle the correct letter.
In the care of a patient undergoing chemotherapy, which of the following should be included to avoid irritating the gastrointestinal tract?

A) Restrict calorie intake.
B) Encourage strong foods
C) Offer red meats
D) Offer a glass of wine with meals.

Question 25

Circle the correct letter.
B) Temozolomide ( Temodar )
C) Mercaptopurine ( Purinethol )
D) Mechlorethamine ( Mustargen )

Question 26

Circle the correct letter.
A patient is taking temozolomide ( Temodar ). For which side effects should you monitor?

A) Dermatitis, bruising, urinary frequency
B) Diarrhea, allergic reaction, amenorrhea
C) Vaginal discharge, depression, rash
D) Fatigue, nausea, constipation

Question 27

Case Studies
You are caring for a patient with cancer of the breast who is receiving chemotherapy and is afraid of losing her hair. What is this side effect called? What causes it? What should you tell your patient to help with the hair loss? __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Question 28

Case Studies
While receiving chemotherapy for cancer, a patient is experiencing nausea and vomiting and is losing weight. Why does this occur? What should you tell him that might help? ___________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Question 29

Critical Thinking
Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
What signs should you look for when giving medications to cancer patients?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Question 30

Critical Thinking
Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
Identify three interventions that you should implement when caring for a cancer patient.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Question 31

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
Use the PDR , Section 2, Brand and Generic Name Index, to find another product name for each drug listed in the Representative Antineoplastic Drugs table in this chapter.

Question 32

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
In Section 3, Product Category Index, of the PDR , find the subheading Antimetabolites. List all the drugs named.

Question 33

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
Section 3, Product Category Index, of the PDR gives a page number for some drugs shown in Section 4, Product Identification Guide. Using the page numbers, identify the pictures of those drugs shown as antimetabolites.

Question 34

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
Notice the different forms that Section 5, Product Information, displays for two products. If solid, state the form. If liquid, how is it administered?

Question 35

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
For the same two drugs you identified in the previous question, name the manufacturer. In Section 1 of the PDR , Manufacturers' Index, find the address of the manufacturer.

Question 36

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
In Section 2 of the PDR , Brand and Generic Name Index, identify the pages that give detailed information about these two drugs. Read about these two drugs in Section 5, Product Information.

Question 37

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
In Section 5 of the PDR , under Product Information, locate the information referring to children and older adults, and write it out.

Question 38

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
In Section 6 of the PDR , Diagnostic Product Information, find the name of the manufacturer that produced the two drugs you identified in question 43.

Question 39

Obtain a current copy of the PDR from your school, nursing unit, or clinic. Use it to answer the following questions in a notebook or on index cards.
List the diagnostic drugs produced by one of the manufacturers you identified in the previous question.
If you have a problem answering any of these questions, look in the back of the PDR under Discontinued Products to see if any of the drugs are listed there.