Conclusion
Conclusion ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is reviewing the medication orders for a patient who is receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The nurse should identify that some chemotherapy drugs are classified as cytotoxic, meaning that they: (Select all that apply.)
Directly kill cancer cells or inhibit their replication. This is one of the main characteristics of cytotoxic drugs, which are drugs that destroy cells or prevent them from dividing. Cytotoxic drugs work by interfering with the cell cycle, which is the process of cell division and replication. Cancer cells have an abnormal cell cycle that allows them to grow and multiply faster than normal cells. Cytotoxic drugs can target different stages of the cell cycle and prevent cancer cells from completing it. This causes the cancer cells to die or stop growing.
Selectively target specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer growth or evasion of the immune system. This is not a characteristic of cytotoxic drugs, but rather of targeted therapy drugs, which are another type of cancer treatment. Targeted therapy drugs work by interfering with specific molecules or pathways that are essential for cancer cells to grow, spread, or resist other treatments. Targeted therapy drugs are often used in combination with cytotoxic drugs or other treatments.
Protect normal cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. This is not a characteristic of cytotoxic drugs, but rather of cytoprotective drugs, which are another type of cancer treatment. Cytoprotective drugs work by reducing the damage caused by cytotoxic drugs to normal cells and tissues. Cytoprotective drugs can also prevent or treat some of the side effects of cytotoxic drugs, such as nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
Cause damage to normal cells that are rapidly dividing. This is one of the main side effects of cytotoxic drugs, which are not selective for cancer cells only. Cytotoxic drugs can also affect normal cells that are rapidly dividing, such as those in the bone marrow, hair follicles, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive organs. This can cause symptoms such as anemia, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infertility, and increased risk of infection.
Enhance the recovery of blood cells after chemotherapyinduced damage. This is one of the main benefits of cytotoxic drugs, which can help restore the normal function of the bone marrow after chemotherapy. Cytotoxic drugs can stimulate the production of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are essential for oxygen transport, immune response, and clotting. Cytotoxic drugs can also reduce the risk of bleeding and infection in patients who have low blood cell counts due to chemotherapy.
Choice A reason:
Directly kill cancer cells or inhibit their replication. This is one of the main characteristics of cytotoxic drugs, which are drugs that destroy cells or prevent them from dividing. Cytotoxic drugs work by interfering with the cell cycle, which is the process of cell division and replication. Cancer cells have an abnormal cell cycle that allows them to grow and multiply faster than normal cells. Cytotoxic drugs can target different stages of the cell cycle and prevent cancer cells from completing it. This causes the cancer cells to die or stop growing.
Choice D reason:
Cause damage to normal cells that are rapidly dividing. This is one of the main side effects of cytotoxic drugs, which are not selective for cancer cells only. Cytotoxic drugs can also affect normal cells that are rapidly dividing, such as those in the bone marrow, hair follicles, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive organs. This can cause symptoms such as anemia, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, infertility, and increased risk of infection.
Choice E reason:
Enhance the recovery of blood cells after chemotherapyinduced damage. This is one of the main benefits of cytotoxic drugs, which can help restore the normal function of the bone marrow after chemotherapy. Cytotoxic drugs can stimulate the production of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are essential for oxygen transport, immune response, and clotting. Cytotoxic drugs can also reduce the risk of bleeding and infection in patients who have low blood cell counts due to chemotherapy.
Choice B reason:
Selectively target specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer growth or evasion of the immune system. This is not a characteristic of cytotoxic drugs, but rather of targeted therapy drugs, which are another type of cancer treatment. Targeted therapy drugs work by interfering with specific molecules or pathways that are essential for cancer cells to grow, spread, or resist other treatments. Targeted therapy drugs are often used in combination with cytotoxic drugs or other treatments.
Choice C reason:
Protect normal cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. This is not a characteristic of cytotoxic drugs, but rather of cytoprotective drugs, which are another type of cancer treatment. Cytoprotective drugs work by reducing the damage caused by cytotoxic drugs to normal cells and tissues. Cytoprotective drugs can also prevent or treat some of the side effects of cytotoxic drugs, such as nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, kidney damage, and nerve damage.