Question 1

When monitoring a patient's response to interferon therapy, the nurse notes that the major dose-limiting factor for interferon therapy is which condition?

Accepted Answer

A)   Diarrhea
B)   Fatigue
C)   Anxiety
D)   Nausea and vomiting B

Question 2

During a patient's therapy with interleukins, the nurse monitors the patient for capillary leak syndrome. Which assessment finding, if present, would indicate this problem?

Accepted Answer

A)   Bradycardia
B)   A dry cough
C)   Bruising on the skin
D)   A sudden, 15-pound weight gain D

Question 3

A patient is to receive filgrastim (Neupogen) 5 mcg/kg/day. The patient weighs 198 pounds. Identify how many micrograms of medication this patient will receive each day. _______

Accepted Answer

450 mcg
Convert pounds to kilograms: 198 ÷ 2.2 = 90 kg.
Calculate mcg/day for this patient: 5 mcg/kg/day × 90 kg = 450 mcg/day.

Question 4

Abatacept (Orencia) is prescribed for a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse checks the patient's medical history, knowing that this medication would need to be used cautiously if which condition is present?

Accepted Answer

A)   Coronary artery disease
B)   Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C)   Diabetes mellitus
D)   Hypertension

Question 5

Aldesleukin [IL-2] (Proleukin) is prescribed for a patient. The nurse reviews the patient's medication list and would note a potential drug interaction if which drug class is also ordered?

Accepted Answer

A)   Anticoagulants
B)   Antiepileptic drugs
C)   Oral hypoglycemic drugs
D)   Antihypertensive drugs

Question 6

A patient who has received chemotherapy has a critically low platelet count. The nurse expects which drug or drug class to be used to stimulate platelet cell production?

Accepted Answer

A)   Filgrastim (Neupogen) 
B)   Interferons
C)   Oprelvekin (Neumega) 
D)   Epoetin alfa (Epogen)

Question 7

A patient who has received chemotherapy has a steadily decreasing white blood cell count. The chemotherapy will end on Tuesday afternoon. The oncologist has mentioned that a colony-stimulating factor will be started soon. The nurse knows that the appropriate time to start this medication is when?

Accepted Answer

A)   While the patient is still receiving chemotherapy
B)   Two hours after the chemotherapy ends
C)   Wednesday afternoon, 24 hours after the chemotherapy ends
D)   In 2 to 4 days, after the white blood cells have reached their nadir

Question 8

A patient has an order for the monoclonal antibody adalimumab (Humira). The nurse notes that the patient does not have a history of cancer. What is another possible reason for administering this drug?

Accepted Answer

A)   Severe anemia
B)   Rheumatoid arthritis
C)   Thrombocytopenia
D)   Osteoporosis

Question 9

The nurse is administering an interferon and will implement which intervention?

Accepted Answer

A)   Giving the medication with meals
B)   Monitoring daily weights
C)   Limiting fluids while the patient is taking this medication
D)   Rotating injection sites

Question 10

A patient will be receiving aldesleukin [IL-2] (Proleukin), 600,000 IU/kg every 8 hours for 14 doses. The patient weighs 220 pounds. Identify how many IU of medication this patient will receive per dose. _______

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient will be receiving aldesleukin [IL-2]...

Question 11

A patient asks about his cancer treatment with monoclonal antibodies. The nurse tells him that which is the major advantage of treating certain cancers with monoclonal antibodies?

Accepted Answer

A)   They will help the patient improve more quickly than will other antineoplastic drugs.
B)   They are more effective against metastatic tumors.
C)   Monoclonal antibodies target certain tumor cells and yet bypass normal cells.
D)   There are fewer incidences of opportunistic infections with monoclonal antibodies.

Question 12

During therapy with hematopoietic drugs, the nurse will monitor the patient for which adverse effects?

Accepted Answer

A)   Hypotension
B)   Edema
C)   Diarrhea
D)   Black, tarry stools
E)   Nausea and vomitingF)  Headache

Question 13

During interleukin drug therapy, a patient is showing signs of severe fluid retention, with increasing dyspnea and severe peripheral edema. The next dose of the interleukin is due now. Which action will the nurse take next?

Accepted Answer

A)   Hold the drug, and notify the prescriber.
B)   Give the drug, and notify the prescriber.
C)   Give the drug along with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) .
D)   Monitor the patient for 2 hours, and then give the drug if the patient's condition improves.

Exam 47: Biologic Responsemodifying and Antirheumatic Drugs