What does the nurse ask the client about antineoplastic medications?
The nurse is caring for a client receiving a combination of antineoplastic medications. The client asks the nurse why so many different medications are being used instead of just one medication.
Why should I be concerned about exposure to antineoplastic drugs?
Why should I be concerned about exposure? 1 We know that cancer patients who are taking antineoplastic drugs have an increased risk of infertility. 2 People who work with these drugs have also been found to have an increased risk... 3 Antineoplastic drugs work by targeting and killing rapidly dividing cancerous cells,...
Which occupational groups are most likely to be exposed to antineoplastic agents?
Pharmacists who prepare these drugs or nurses who may prepare and/or administer them are the two occupational groups who have the highest potential exposure to antineoplastic agents. Additionally, physicians and operating room personnel may also be exposed through the treatment of patients.
What is included in the evaluation of antineoplastic agents?
A number of studies have documented environmental and worker exposure to the antineoplastic agents. A variety of biological endpoints have been used to evaluate worker exposure. These include, urine mutagenicity, chromosomal damage, sister chromatid exchange, micronuclei induction, DNA damage, HPRT mutations, and thioether excretion.
Why is it important to maintain a healthy diet while undergoing cancer treatment?
Maintaining adequate nutrition while undergoing treatment for cancer is imperative because it can reduce treatment-related side effects, prevent delays in treatment, and help maintain quality of life. [ 1] However, many patients view their diet as a way to enhance treatment effectiveness, minimize treatment-related toxicities, or target the cancer itself, often by following a specific diet with supposed cancer-fighting benefits or by taking dietary supplements. Patients are likely to search the internet and other lay sources of information for dietary approaches to manage cancer risk and to improve prognosis. Unfortunately, much of this information is not supported by a sufficient evidence base.
What is the best way to treat precachexia?
Prompt and aggressive nutrition intervention is required for patients with precachexia or cancer cachexia. Intervention is more likely to be effective when started early. Interventions include an individualized approach to oral, enteral, and parenteral nutrition using evidence-based recommendations, guidelines, and program and regulatory standards.
What percentage of patients with advanced cancer have sarcopenia?
It is reported to occur in 50% of patients with advanced cancer. [ 21 - 23] Sarcopenic obesity is the presence of sarcopenia in individuals with a high BMI (≥25 kg/m 2 ), often precipitated by the loss of skeletal muscle and gain of adipose tissue.
What is the purpose of biotherapy?
Biotherapy is treatment to boost the immune system to help enhance the body’s own response against cancer or to help repair normal cells damaged as a side effect of treatment . [ 18] Biotherapy includes growth factors, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. The symptoms of biotherapy that are most likely to impact nutrition status are fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. [ 27]
How does cancer affect nutrition?
Cancer treatments may cause acute and chronic effects . Nutrition intervention is based on symptom management. Patients who maintain good nutrition are more likely to tolerate the side effects of treatment. Adequate calories and protein can help maintain patient strength and prevent body tissues from further catabolism. Side effects of cancer treatments vary among patients, depending on the type, length, and dose of treatments and the type of cancer being treated (refer to Table 3). Cancer treatment has toxic effects on the GI tract, including the following:
How many cancer patients are malnourished?
Many patients experience unintentional weight loss leading to a diagnosis of cancer. [ 1, 2] Studies have reported malnutrition in 30% to 85% of patients with cancer. [ 3, 4] Because there has previously been no universal definition ...
Can cancer cause increased glycolysis?
Altered metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates is evident in patients with cancer cachexia. Tumors may impair glucose uptake and glucose oxidation, leading to an increased glycolysis. [ 15] . Weight loss can occur from a decrease in energy intake and/or an increase in energy expenditure.
Who is most likely to be exposed to antineoplastic agents?
Additionally, physicians and operating room personnel may also be exposed through the treatment of patients.
What is an analytical method used to document worker exposure to antineoplastic agents?
Additionally, analytical methods have been used to document worker exposure to antineoplastic agents by measuring these drugs and/or their metabolites in the urine of health care workers. Similar analytical methods are currently being employed to measure the level of environmental contamination in the workplace.
What are the health effects of antineoplastic agents?
The adverse health effects associated with antineoplastic agents (cancer chemotherapy drugs, cytotoxic drugs) in cancer patients and some non-cancer patients treated with these drugs are well documented. The very nature of antineoplastic agents make them harmful to healthy cells and tissues as well as the cancerous cells. For cancer patients with a life-threatening disease, there is certainly a great benefit to treatment with these agents. However, for the health care workers who are exposed to antineoplastic agents as part of their work practice, precautions should be taken to eliminate or reduce exposure as much as possible. Pharmacists who prepare these drugs or nurses who may prepare and/or administer them are the two occupational groups who have the highest potential exposure to antineoplastic agents. Additionally, physicians and operating room personnel may also be exposed through the treatment of patients. Hospital staff, such as shipping and receiving personnel, custodial workers, laundry workers and waste handlers, all have potential exposure to these drugs during the course of their work. The increased use of antineoplastic agents in veterinary oncology also puts these workers at risk for exposure to these drugs.
What are the long term effects of antineoplastics?
These include liver and kidney damage, damage to the bone marrow, damage to the lungs and heart, infertility (tempor ary and permanent), ...
Is antineoplastic cancer treatment good?
The very nature of anti neoplastic agents make them harmful to healthy cells and tissues as well as the cancerous cells. For cancer patients with a life-threatening disease, there is certainly a great benefit to treatment with these agents.
What is antineoplastic fed by?
It is fed by the hormones produced by the ovaries. When describing the various effects of antineoplastic agents, the nurse explains that antineoplastic drugs primarily affect human cells that are rapidly multiplying, going through the cell cycle quickly. The nurse would identify which cells as an example? Skin.
What is the purpose of antineoplastic drugs?
The purpose of antineoplastic drugs is to affect cells that rapidly divide and reproduce; however, the adverse effects produced by antineoplastic drugs result from their systemic use, which exposes nonmalignant cells in the body that are rapidly dividing and reproducing.
What is the treatment for breast cancer?
A client with breast cancer will have radiation therapy and then begin chemotherapy . Drug therapy will consist of a combination of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel. What should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan concerning the drug therapy? Select all that apply.
What is antineoplastic medicine?
Antineoplastic drugs are also called anticancer, chemotherapy, chemo, cytotoxic, or hazardous drugs. These drugs come in many forms. Some are liquids that are injected into the patient and some are pills that patients take.
Can antineoplastics cause miscarriage?
Antineoplastic (Chemotherapy) Drugs. Working with antineoplastic drugs during pregnancy could increase your chances of having a miscarriage or a child with a birth defect. Here, you can learn more about working with antineoplastic drugs and what you can do to reduce your exposure for a healthier pregnancy.
Can you tell if you have a miscarriage with antineoplastics?
If you work with antineoplastic drugs and have a miscarriage or a baby with a birth defect, we often can’t tell if it was caused by working with antineoplastic drugs or if it was caused by something else . We don’t know what levels of antineoplastic drugs are safe.
Introduction
This nursing exam covers topics about drugs associated with anti-infective therapies and topical agents. Equip yourself with knowledge in this 30-item exam. Get that perfect score in your NCLEX or NLE exams with this questionnaire.
Topics
Antibacterial Agents Antitubercular Agents Antifungal Agents Antiviral Agents Ophthalmic and Otic Agents Dermatologic Agents
Guidelines
Check out each question carefully and pick the best answer. You are offered one minute per question. Invest your time carefully!