When teaching a client about antiviral therapy, the nurse would include information about the possibility of which adverse reactions?

Choice A rationale:

Alkylating agents. Alkylating agents are not cell cycle-specific. These agents work by directly binding to DNA and interfering with the cell's ability to replicate and divide. Their action is not limited to a specific phase of the cell cycle, making them non-cell cycle-specific agents. Alkylating agents are often used in cancer chemotherapy to prevent cell division and growth.

Choice C rationale:

Antineoplastic antibiotics. Antineoplastic antibiotics are not cell cycle-specific either. These drugs, such as doxorubicin and bleomycin, work by disrupting DNA and RNA synthesis and are used to treat various types of cancer. However, they do not specifically target cells in a particular phase of the cell cycle.

Choice D rationale:

Retinoids. Retinoids are not cell cycle-specific antineoplastic agents. Retinoids are compounds related to vitamin A and are used for various medical purposes, including some cancer treatments. However, their mechanism of action is not tied to a specific phase of the cell cycle, making them non-cell cycle-specific.

Choice B rationale:

Plant alkaloids. Plant alkaloids, such as vinca alkaloids (vincristine and vinblastine) and taxanes (paclitaxel), are considered cell cycle-specific antineoplastic drugs. These agents interfere with microtubule function, which is critical during mitosis (cell division). By disrupting microtubules, they specifically target rapidly dividing cancer cells during the M phase of the cell cycle. This selectivity for actively dividing cells makes plant alkaloids cell cycle-specific antineoplastic drugs.

Choice A rationale:

Nonprotease inhibitors are not typically a part of HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). Protease inhibitors are used to inhibit HIV replication.

Choice B rationale:

Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are often used in HAART, but they are not the primary agents responsible for inhibiting the integration of the viral genome into the host cell's DNA. NNRTIs target the reverse transcriptase enzyme.

Choice C rationale:

Entry inhibitors are another class of antiretroviral drugs, but they work by blocking the entry of the virus into host cells, not by inhibiting integration. They are used in combination with other drugs in specific cases.

Choice D rationale:

Integrase inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs that specifically target the enzyme integrase, which is responsible for integrating the viral genome into the host cell's DNA. This choice is correct because integrase inhibitors are a crucial component of HAART and help prevent the virus from replicating in the host's cells.