A patient being treated for cancer is receiving medication for palliation. The nurse understands that palliative therapy is used to

A. "The client’s degree of nausea."

The client's degree of nausea is a side effect of chemotherapy, but it is not a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy in the broader sense. Nausea can often be managed with antiemetic medications, and it is generally considered a manageable aspect of chemotherapy care.

B. "The patient’s reluctance about the doses administered."

Patient compliance and acceptance of the prescribed treatment are important factors in the success of chemotherapy. However, while patient reluctance can be a challenge, it is not considered a major obstacle to chemotherapy as there are strategies and interventions to address issues related to patient understanding, fears, or concerns.

C. "The toxicity of anticancer drugs to normal tissues."

This is the correct answer. The toxicity of anticancer drugs to normal tissues is a major obstacle in chemotherapy. While the drugs aim to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, they can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects and complications. Striking a balance between effective cancer treatment and minimizing harm to normal tissues is a key challenge in chemotherapy.

D. "The difficulty of maintaining venous access."

Maintaining venous access can be a logistical challenge in chemotherapy, but it is not considered a major obstacle to successful treatment. While it is important for delivering chemotherapy drugs, there are various methods and technologies to address issues related to venous access, such as the use of central venous catheters or ports.

A. “This medication is a leading cause of bronchospasm.”

Glucocorticoid inhalers are not a leading cause of bronchospasm. In fact, they are often prescribed to reduce inflammation and prevent bronchospasm in conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

B. “This medication will cause you to become fatigued.”

Fatigue is not a common side effect of inhaled glucocorticoids. Systemic effects are more likely with oral or intravenous administration, whereas inhaled forms are designed to have localized effects.

C. “You must gargle and rinse your mouth immediately after each use of this medication.”

Inhaled glucocorticoids can sometimes lead to local side effects, such as oral candidiasis (thrush) or hoarseness. Gargling and rinsing the mouth after using the inhaler can help minimize these side effects by reducing the risk of fungal overgrowth in the mouth and throat.

D. “This medication may cause you to feel anxious.”

Anxiety is not a common side effect of inhaled glucocorticoids. Again, systemic effects are more associated with other routes of administration. The use of inhaled glucocorticoids is generally well-tolerated when used as directed.