Question

Case Study, Chapter 14, Antineoplastic Agents An older adult patient has recently been diagnosed with prostate and kidney cancer. The patient has a lot of concerns and questions about antineoplastic agents that he is going to be receiving following surgery 3 months ago. (Learning Objectives 1, 2, and 5) What are the anticipated changes the patient's body undergoes when cancer occurs? What is the goal of cancer chemotherapy? Why are antineoplastic agents often given in combination? What are the key points that the nurse needs to review with the patient receiving cancer-specific agents?

Answer 1

ANSWER.

* Anticipated changes in the body when cancer occurs includes

              * Weight loss.

              * Presence of lumps in the body.

              * Abnormal bleeding or discharges from the body.

              * Hoarsenenss of voice.

              * Fever.

              * Changes in the bladder and bowel elimination pattern.

              * Diarrhea.

              * Anemia.

              * Swollen lymphnodes.

              * Night sweating.

* Goal of cancer chemotherapy.

          * Goal of cancer chemotherapy is to eliminate all cancer cells from the body

             and prevent reoccurance of cancer.

* Combination of antineoplastic agents used during chemotherapy helps to

          * Reduce the resistance of cancer cells to drugs used in chemotherapy by use of

            mutliple drugs toghether at a time.

          * Different drugs act in different ways to kill the cancer cells present in the body so

            combination of drugs are more effective than a single drug.

* Key points nurse need to review with the patient receiving cancer specific agents.

       * Instruct the patient about the anticipated side effects of cancer chemotherapy like

         nausea,vomiting,alopecia,weight loss,anemia,general body weakness etc.

       * Instruct the patient to maintain good personal hygiene to avoid opportunistic infection

         may occur due to immunocompromised health status.

       * Avoid use of raw foods items and bad habits like smoking,use of addictive drugs etc

         which can negatively affect the antineoplastic therapy outcomes.

       * Educate the patient to maintain a balanced nutritional pattern based on the guideline of a

          dietician during chemotherapy.

       * Instruct the patient do proper mouth care to manag4e mouth sore which may occur as a side

         effect of chemotherapy.

       *Encourage the patient increase fluid intake to manage constipation may occur as a side effect

         of chemotherapy.