McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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C H A P T E R 1 4  Antineoplastic agents

2. Hair loss, or alopecia, is an adverse effect of many antineoplastic agents. If a person is receiving a drug that usually causes alopecia, it is important that the care provider do which of the following? a. Warn the person that alopecia will occur. b. Encourage the person to arrange for an appropriate head covering at extremes of temperature. c. Advise the person to lie with the legs elevated and head low to promote circulation and prevent hair loss. d. Encourage the person to arrange for a wig or other head covering before the hair loss occurs. e. Advise the person that people will stare and can be rude when hair loss occurs. f. Make arrangements for the person to attend a support group before hair loss happens.

7. It is important to explain to women that chemotherapeutic agents should not be used during pregnancy because: a. the tendency to cause nausea and vomiting will be increased. b. of potential serious adverse effects on the rapidly multiplying cells of the fetus. c. bone marrow toxicity could alter hormone levels. d. people may be weakened by the drug regimen. 8. Cancer drugs are given in combination and over a period of time because it is difficult to affect: a. slowly growing cells. b. cells in the dormant phase of the cell cycle. c. cells that multiply rapidly and go through the cell cycle quickly. d. cells that have moved from their normal site in the body. MULTIPLE RESPONSE Select all that apply. 1. Which of the following points would be most important to stress when developing a teaching plan for a person receiving antineoplastic therapy? a. The importance of keeping the head covered at extremes of temperature. b. The need to use barrier contraceptives because of the risk of serious fetal effects. c. The importance of avoiding exposure to infection because the ability to heal or to fight infection is impaired. d. The importance of avoiding food if nausea or vomiting is a problem. e. The importance of avoiding digging in the dirt without protective coverings because of the many pathogens that live in the dirt that could cause infection. f. The importance of taking periodic rest periods during the day because you will feel tired when your red blood cell count falls.