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:

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.

Choice A reason:

This is incorrect because chemotherapy given before other treatments to shrink the leukemia cells is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy, not induction chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used to improve the outcome of the main treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy.

Choice B reason:

This is incorrect because chemotherapy given after other treatments to kill any leftover leukemia cells is called adjuvant chemotherapy, not induction chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is used to lower the chance of leukemia recurrence and improve the outcome of the firstline treatment.

Choice C reason:

This is correct because induction chemotherapy is the firstline or initial treatment of cancer, usually with high doses of anticancer drugs, before another treatment such as consolidation or postremission therapy. The goal of induction chemotherapy is to cure the cancer, destroy as many cancer cells as possible, suppress distant metastases, and shrink the tumor.

Choice D reason:

This is incorrect because chemotherapy given to control symptoms and improve quality of life is called palliative chemotherapy, not induction chemotherapy. Palliative chemotherapy is used for patients with incurable or terminal cancer to reduce pain and suffering.