A patient receiving a chemotherapy agent that is a vesicant should be monitored for which adverse effect?
Dehydration due to the emetogenic effect of the drug
Infiltration of the intravenous fluid containing the chemotherapy agent into the surrounding skin
The presence of blood in the urine or stool
Orthostatic hypotension due to fluid expansion in the vascular system
The Correct Answer is B
A. While nausea and vomiting are common side effects of many chemotherapy agents, this is not specific to vesicants, which are drugs that can cause tissue damage if they leak outside the vein.
B. Vesicant chemotherapy agents can cause severe tissue damage, necrosis, and ulceration if they extravasate (leak into surrounding tissue). Close monitoring of the IV site for signs of redness, swelling, or pain is essential.
C. This may indicate gastrointestinal or bladder irritation from other types of chemotherapy agents, but it is not the hallmark concern with vesicants.
D. This is unrelated to vesicant properties. Orthostatic hypotension may occur from dehydration or autonomic effects, but not from vesicant infiltration.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While constipation is a side effect, it does not directly cause significant weight loss.
B. Pain may contribute to decreased intake, but it is not the most common or primary cause of rapid weight loss in this context.
C. Both chemotherapy and radiation can cause anorexia (loss of appetite) and taste changes, making food unappealing. These effects often lead to reduced caloric intake and unintentional weight loss.
D. Hair loss affects appearance but does not contribute to weight loss.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Edema is more commonly due to fluid overload and impaired renal excretion of sodium and water, not primarily caused by low potassium levels.
B. Seizures are more typically linked to electrolyte imbalances such as low sodium or low calcium, not potassium.
C. Respiratory depression is more commonly associated with opioid use, high magnesium, or neuromuscular suppression, not hypokalemia.
D. Critically low potassium (hypokalemia) impairs normal cardiac conduction and increases the risk for life-threatening arrhythmias, making this the most dangerous and priority complication to monitor for.
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