The nurse evaluates a nursing student’s understanding of chemotherapy. When the nurse asks, “Which factor would be a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy?” What is the student’s best response?
“The client’s degree of nausea.”
“The patient’s reluctance about the doses administered.”
“The toxicity of anticancer drugs to normal tissues.”
“The difficulty of maintaining venous access.”
The Correct Answer is C
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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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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