While Observing in the Oncology Clinic, a Student Nurse Is

Multiple Choice

While observing in the oncology clinic, a student nurse is reviewing chemotherapy orders for a client with advanced colorectal cancer. The nurse providing care explains the client is to receive "high dose methotrexate with leucovorin rescue." The student understands the leucovorin calcium is given for which of the following reasons?

A) As a catalyst to increase the number of cancer cells destroyed by the methotrexate.
B) As an antidote to the methotrexate to reduce the destruction of blood cells.
C) As a second chemotherapeutic agent that will destroy cancer cells using a different mechanism.
D) As a carrying agent to ensure delivery of the methotrexate into the cells.