A nurse is caring for a client who has lung cancer and is receiving combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to prevent nephrotoxicity from cisplatin?
Administer mannitol as prescribed before cisplatin infusion.
Monitor serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels daily.
Encourage fluid intake of at least 3 L per day during treatment.
All of the above.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice D reason:
These are all interventions that can prevent nephrotoxicity from cisplatin, which is a potent and valuable chemotherapy drug that can cause kidney damage or failure. Nephrotoxicity is one of the most serious and doselimiting adverse effects of cisplatin, which can affect up to 30% of patients. Nephrotoxicity is caused by the accumulation of cisplatin in the renal tubular cells, leading to cell injury, inflammation, and ischemia³.
Choice A reason:
Administering mannitol as prescribed before cisplatin infusion can prevent nephrotoxicity by increasing urine output and reducing the concentration of cisplatin in the kidney. Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that draws water from the extracellular space into the tubular lumen, thereby increasing urine volume and flow rate. Mannitol can also scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress induced by cisplatin⁴.
Choice B reason:
Monitoring serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels daily can prevent nephrotoxicity by detecting early signs of renal impairment and adjusting the dose of cisplatin accordingly. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are markers of kidney function that reflect the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). An increase in these levels indicates a decrease in GFR and a loss of kidney function. The dose of cisplatin should be reduced or withheld if serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen levels rise above a certain threshold⁴.
Choice C reason:
Encouraging fluid intake of at least 3 L per day during treatment can prevent nephrotoxicity by maintaining adequate hydration and preventing dehydration. Hydration is essential for preventing cisplatininduced renal toxicity, as it dilutes the concentration of cisplatin in the kidney and enhances its elimination. Dehydration can increase the risk of nephrotoxicity by reducing renal blood flow and causing tubular obstruction by uric acid crystals. Fluid intake can be oral or intravenous, depending on the patient's condition⁴.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Numbness, tingling, or pain in the extremities are signs of peripheral neuropathy, which is a common and serious side effect of thalidomide³. This condition can affect the nerves that control sensation and movement in the arms and legs, and can lead to permanent nerve damage if not treated.
Choice B reason:
Drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion are signs of central nervous system depression, which is a common and serious side effect of thalidomide³. This condition can affect the brain's ability to regulate alertness, cognition, and coordination, and can increase the risk of falls, accidents, and injuries.
Choice C reason:
Constipation, nausea, or vomiting are signs of gastrointestinal distress, which is a common and mild side effect of thalidomide. This condition can affect the digestive system's ability to process food and fluids, and can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalance if not managed.
Choice D reason:
Swelling, redness, or warmth in the legs are not directly related to thalidomide use, but may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Thalidomide can increase the risk of DVT by affecting the blood's ability to clot normally. A DVT can be lifethreatening if it breaks off and travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Choice E reason:
Rash, itching, or hives are signs of allergic reaction, which is a rare but serious side effect of thalidomide³. This condition can affect the skin's immune response to the drug, and can lead to severe skin reactions such as StevensJohnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis if not treated.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice D reason:
These are manifestations of neurotoxicity from vincristine, which is a chemotherapy drug that belongs to the vinca alkaloids. Vinca alkaloids work by binding to tubulin and inhibiting the formation of microtubules, which are essential for cell division and function. Neurotoxicity is one of the most common and doselimiting adverse effects of vincristine, which can affect up to 80% of patients. Neurotoxicity can manifest as peripheral neuropathy, which is the damage to the nerves in the hands and feet, causing numbness, tingling, burning, or pain. The nurse should monitor the client for peripheral neuropathy and provide pain relief and supportive care as needed³.
Choice A reason:
These are not manifestations of neurotoxicity from vincristine, but rather of paralytic ileus from vincristine. Paralytic ileus is the loss of intestinal motility, causing constipation, urinary retention, and abdominal distension. Paralytic ileus is another common adverse effect of vincristine, which can affect up to 40% of patients. Paralytic ileus is caused by the inhibition of microtubules in the smooth muscle cells of the intestine and bladder, leading to reduced peristalsis and urine flow. The nurse should monitor the client for paralytic ileus and provide laxatives, catheterization, and fluids as ordered⁴.
Choice B reason:
These are not manifestations of neurotoxicity from vincristine, but rather of ototoxicity from cisplatin, which is another chemotherapy drug that is used in combination with vincristine and prednisone for lymphoma. Ototoxicity is the damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve, causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Ototoxicity is one of the most serious and doselimiting adverse effects of cisplatin, which can affect up to 50% of patients. Ototoxicity is caused by the accumulation of cisplatin in the cochlea and vestibular system, leading to oxidative stress and cell death. The nurse should monitor the client for ototoxicity and provide hearing tests and vestibular rehabilitation as needed .
Choice C reason:
These are not manifestations of neurotoxicity from vincristine, but rather of ocular toxicity from rituximab, which is another chemotherapy drug that is used in combination with vincristine and prednisone for lymphoma. Ocular toxicity is the damage to the eyes or vision, causing blurred vision, photophobia, and eye irritation. Ocular toxicity is a rare but serious adverse effect of rituximab, which can affect up to 1% of patients. Ocular toxicity is caused by the infusionrelated reactions or immunemediated reactions induced by rituximab, leading to inflammation and edema in the eyes. The nurse should monitor the client for ocular toxicity and provide eye drops and steroids as ordered .
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