Question

ology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is asked to develop a staff developmen am for registered nurses who will be administering chemotherapeutic agents Because the nurses will be administering a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs to oncolopa patients, the CNS plans on presenting an overview of agents, classifications, and special precautions related to the safe handling and administration of these drugs. (Learning Objectives 6 and 8) What does the CNS describe as the goals of chemotherapy? b. How should the CNS respond to the following question: "Why do patients require rounds of chemotherapeutic drugs, including different drugs and varying intervals? C. In teaching about the administration of chemotherapeutic agents, what signs of extravasation should the nurse include? d. What clinical manifestations of myelosuppression, secondary to chemotherapy administration, should the CNS include in this program?

Answer 1

a.Goals of chemotherapy are:

• To cure the cancer :when possible chemo is used to eliminate cancer cells until no longer detected in your body.
• To ease the cancer: chemo may be used to keep cancer from spreading,slow its growth or destroy cancer cells.
• To control cancer symptoms: when cancer is in advanced stage chemo may be used to shrink cancer tumors that are causing pain or pressure.

b.Most chemotherapeutic drugs are given in repeated cycles.The length of cycle depends on the treatment being given.Chemotherapuetic drugs work by stopping cancer cells dividing and growing

Different drugs affect the cancer cells in different ways.When a combination of drug is used, each drug is chosen for its different effects.

c.During administration of chemotherapuetic drugs an extravasation occurs when there is infiltration of a vesicant or chemotherapeutic drug into the surrounding IV site.Vesicant can cause tissue destruction or blistering.

The signs of extravasation are:

• Burning pain
• Redness may occur followed by tisue necrosis
• Swelling
• Erythema

d.Myelosuppression also called bone marrow suppression is common side effect of chemotherapy that is characterized by a decrease in blood cell production.

The common symptoms are:

Fatigue

Shortness of breath

Dizziness