A client has been diagnosed with cancer.
The physician prescribes antineoplastic drug therapy to the client.
Which of the following would the nurse include in the discussion about the prescribed therapy?

Choice A rationale:

Alkylating agents. Alkylating agents are not cell cycle-specific. These agents work by directly binding to DNA and interfering with the cell's ability to replicate and divide. Their action is not limited to a specific phase of the cell cycle, making them non-cell cycle-specific agents. Alkylating agents are often used in cancer chemotherapy to prevent cell division and growth.

Choice C rationale:

Antineoplastic antibiotics. Antineoplastic antibiotics are not cell cycle-specific either. These drugs, such as doxorubicin and bleomycin, work by disrupting DNA and RNA synthesis and are used to treat various types of cancer. However, they do not specifically target cells in a particular phase of the cell cycle.

Choice D rationale:

Retinoids. Retinoids are not cell cycle-specific antineoplastic agents. Retinoids are compounds related to vitamin A and are used for various medical purposes, including some cancer treatments. However, their mechanism of action is not tied to a specific phase of the cell cycle, making them non-cell cycle-specific.

Choice B rationale:

Plant alkaloids. Plant alkaloids, such as vinca alkaloids (vincristine and vinblastine) and taxanes (paclitaxel), are considered cell cycle-specific antineoplastic drugs. These agents interfere with microtubule function, which is critical during mitosis (cell division). By disrupting microtubules, they specifically target rapidly dividing cancer cells during the M phase of the cell cycle. This selectivity for actively dividing cells makes plant alkaloids cell cycle-specific antineoplastic drugs.

Choice A rationale:

Sedation is not a common adverse reaction to antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral medications are primarily used to treat HIV and do not typically cause sedation.

Choice B rationale:

Bruising is a potential adverse reaction to antiretroviral therapy. Some antiretroviral medications can cause blood-related side effects, such as decreased platelet count, which can result in easy bruising and bleeding. It's important for the nurse to include this in the teaching plan to ensure the client is aware of this potential side effect.

Choice C rationale:

Altered taste is not a common adverse reaction to antiretroviral therapy. While some medications can cause taste disturbances, this is not a typical side effect of antiretroviral drugs.

Choice D rationale:

Constipation is not a common adverse reaction to antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral medications primarily target the HIV virus and do not typically cause gastrointestinal issues like constipation.