Mrs. Miller is a 34 year-old who just successfully completed chemotherapy for breast cancer. Which of the following should the RN include in her plan of care?
Avoid elevated altitudes of greater than 2,000 feet (if possible) and air travel for 2-4 weeks (depending on the oncologist’s advice).
Avoid foods high in purine for 30-90 days (depending on the oncologist’s advice).
Avoid sun exposure for 60-90 days following chemotherapy (depending on oncologist’s advice).
Have a solid plan for contraception for 3 months to 2 years (depending on the oncologist’s advice).
The Correct Answer is C
A. Avoid elevated altitudes of greater than 2,000 feet (if possible) and air travel for 2-4 weeks (depending on the oncologist’s advice):
Altitude and air travel restrictions are not common recommendations after completing chemotherapy.
B. Avoid foods high in purine for 30-90 days (depending on the oncologist’s advice):
Restrictions on foods high in purine are not typically associated with post-chemotherapy care.
C. Avoid sun exposure for 60-90 days following chemotherapy (depending on oncologist’s advice):
Chemotherapy can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Advising the patient to avoid sun exposure or take precautions such as using sunscreen can help prevent skin damage during this period.
D. Have a solid plan for contraception for 3 months to 2 years (depending on the oncologist’s advice):
Contraception considerations may be important, but the timeframe mentioned is not a standard recommendation following chemotherapy completion. The need for contraception may vary depending on the patient's overall health, reproductive goals, and specific chemotherapy drugs received. This decision is usually discussed with the healthcare provider on an individual basis.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Evaluate gastrointestinal function:
While gastrointestinal function is important to assess for side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting, monitoring for potential infection (fever) takes precedence in the context of myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
B. Assess for evidence of cardiac compromise:
Myelosuppression primarily affects the hematopoietic system, and assessing for cardiac compromise is not the priority in this situation.
C. Question about changes in taste or smell:
Changes in taste or smell are common side effects of chemotherapy, but they are not as critical as monitoring for signs of infection, especially fever.
D. Monitor for temperature changes:
Myelosuppression refers to the suppression of the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, including white blood cells. Neutropenia, a common side effect of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, increases the risk of infection. Fever may be the only early sign of infection in immunocompromised patients, and it can progress rapidly. Therefore, monitoring for temperature changes is crucial to identify and address potential infections promptly.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Kill cancer cells and normal cells
This describes the general mechanism of traditional chemotherapy, which targets rapidly dividing cells. Unlike targeted therapies, traditional chemotherapy does not selectively target specific molecules or pathways in cancer cells, leading to a broader impact on both cancer cells and normal cells.
B. Increase neutrophils to fight infection
This does not describe the mechanism of targeted therapies. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response to infection. Targeted therapies primarily focus on blocking specific molecular pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival.
C. Target the spread of infection
This option is not an accurate description of how targeted therapies treat cancer. The primary goal of targeted therapies is to interfere with specific molecular processes in cancer cells, not to target the spread of infection.
D. Block specific cancer cell growth on the molecular level
This is the correct answer. Targeted therapies are designed to block or interfere with specific molecules or pathways involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. By targeting these specific aspects of cancer cell biology, targeted therapies aim to inhibit the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells.
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