A nurse is caring for a client who has ovarian cancer and is receiving palliative chemotherapy. The client tells the nurse that she feels hopeless and wonders why she is still taking the drugs. The nurse should respond by saying:

Choice A reason:

This is incorrect because cell cyclespecific chemotherapy drugs are drugs that act on cancer cells during specific phases of the cell cycle. They have a narrow spectrum of activity because they only affect cells that are actively dividing. Cell cyclespecific drugs are not necessarily used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Choice B reason:

This is incorrect because cell cyclenonspecific chemotherapy drugs are drugs that act on cancer cells regardless of their phase in the cell cycle. They have a broad spectrum of activity because they affect both dividing and nondividing cells. Cell cyclenonspecific drugs are not necessarily used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Choice C reason:

This is incorrect because cell cyclespecific chemotherapy drugs are drugs that act on cancer cells during specific phases of the cell cycle. They have a broad spectrum of activity because they affect both dividing and nondividing cells. Cell cyclespecific drugs are not necessarily used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Choice D reason:

This is incorrect because cell cyclenonspecific chemotherapy drugs are drugs that act on cancer cells regardless of their phase in the cell cycle. They have a narrow spectrum of activity because they only affect cells that are actively dividing. Cell cyclenonspecific drugs are not necessarily used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Choice E reason:

This is correct because neoadjuvant chemotherapy is treatment with drugs before the main treatment, usually surgery or radiation therapy, to shrink the tumor and improve the outcome of the main treatment. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can also help with surgical planning and early treatment of microscopic metastatic foci. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is often given in combination with other modalities such as radiation or surgery.

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.