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:

Anthelmintic drugs are contraindicated in patients who are pregnant because these drugs can potentially harm the developing fetus. Many anthelmintic drugs have not been studied extensively in pregnant women, and their safety in pregnancy has not been established. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using anthelmintic drugs in pregnant patients to minimize potential risks to both the mother and the fetus.

Choice B rationale:

Anthelmintic drugs should be used cautiously in patients with myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. Some anthelmintic drugs may have neuromuscular side effects, which can worsen the symptoms in individuals with myasthenia gravis. Therefore, caution is warranted when considering anthelmintic therapy in these patients.

Choice C rationale:

Clinical depression is not a contraindication for anthelmintic drugs. While some side effects of anthelmintic drugs may include mood changes or psychiatric symptoms, these drugs are primarily used to treat parasitic infections and are not contraindicated in patients with clinical depression. The benefits of treating the parasitic infection may outweigh the potential psychiatric side effects.

Choice D rationale:

Children younger than 15 years are not necessarily contraindicated for anthelmintic drugs. The choice of anthelmintic therapy in pediatric patients should be based on the specific drug, the type of parasitic infection, and the age and weight of the child. Anthelmintic drugs are often used in children to treat parasitic infections, but the choice of drug and the dosing regimen should be carefully selected based on individual patient characteristics.

Choice A rationale:

Tetracyclines are not narrow-spectrum antibiotics. They are broad-spectrum antibiotics. Tetracyclines are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. This is important in treating various infections, but it also means they can disrupt the normal flora of the gut, potentially leading to issues like antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Choice B rationale:

Tetracyclines may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth in children. This is a well-known adverse effect of tetracycline antibiotics. It primarily occurs in children under the age of 8, whose teeth are still developing. Tetracyclines can bind to calcium ions in teeth, leading to a yellow or grayish discoloration. This is why tetracyclines are generally avoided in children and pregnant women.

Choice C rationale:

Tetracyclines can be used when penicillins are contraindicated. Tetracyclines and penicillins are different classes of antibiotics, and being contraindicated for one does not necessarily mean the other is also contraindicated. Tetracyclines can be an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate penicillins due to allergies or other contraindications.

Choice D rationale:

Tetracyclines are not contraindicated in children younger than 9 years. This statement is not accurate. Tetracyclines are contraindicated in children under the age of 8 due to the risk of tooth discoloration. After the age of 8, tetracyclines can be used in children, but caution is still required.

Choice E rationale:

Tetracyclines are not used to treat influenza. Influenza is caused by viruses, not bacteria, and tetracyclines are antibiotics that target bacteria. Influenza is typically treated with antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu).