A nurse is administering induction chemotherapy to a client who has acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The client asks the nurse what induction chemotherapy means. The nurse should respond by saying:

Choice A reason:

Salvage chemotherapy is not given to prevent relapse or progression of the disease, but rather to treat it when it has already relapsed or progressed. Preventive chemotherapy is usually given after the initial treatment has achieved a complete response, to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Choice B reason:

This is the correct answer. Salvage chemotherapy is given to control advanced or refractory disease, meaning that the disease has not responded to or has become resistant to previous treatments. Salvage chemotherapy aims to stabilize the disease, prevent further complications, and improve symptoms and quality of life. ³⁴

Choice C reason:

Salvage chemotherapy is not given to induce remission or reduce tumor burden, but rather to control it when it has already become unresponsive or resistant to previous treatments. Induction chemotherapy is usually given as the firstline treatment for aggressive cancers, to shrink the tumor before surgery or radiation therapy.

Choice D reason:

Salvage chemotherapy is not only given to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, but also to control the disease and prevent further complications. Symptom relief and quality of life improvement are important goals of salvage chemotherapy, but they are not the only ones. ³⁴:

Choice A reason:

This is incorrect because it may sound dismissive of the client's feelings and imply that palliative chemotherapy can only prolong life, not improve quality of life. Palliative chemotherapy is not meant to cure cancer or to extend life significantly, but to relieve the symptoms of cancer and improve quality of life.

Choice B reason:

This is incorrect because it may give false hope to the client and contradict the purpose of palliative chemotherapy. Palliative chemotherapy is unlikely to cure cancer or induce remission, even if the client responds well.

Choice C reason:

This is incorrect because it may suggest that the nurse does not support the client's decision to continue treatment or that palliative chemotherapy is futile. Palliative chemotherapy is optional and the client has the right to refuse treatment, but the nurse should respect the client's wishes and provide information and support.

Choice D reason:

This is correct because it shows empathy and compassion for the client's feelings and acknowledges the benefits of palliative chemotherapy. Palliative chemotherapy can relieve some of the symptoms and discomforts caused by cancer, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, etc.