Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Drugs
Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Drugs ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent, as part of chemotherapy for lymphoma. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this drug?
Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that can cause damage to the kidneys and bladder, leading to nephrotoxicity and hemorrhagic cystitis. Nephrotoxicity is the impairment of kidney function due to exposure to toxic substances, and hemorrhagic cystitis is the inflammation and bleeding of the bladder wall. The nurse should monitor the client's urine output, specific gravity, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinalysis for signs of renal impairment and hematuria. The nurse should also encourage the client to drink plenty of fluids, administer mesna (a protective agent), and alkalinize the urine to prevent these complications .
Cardiotoxicity and extravasation injury are not common adverse effects of cyclophosphamide. Cardiotoxicity is the damage to the heart muscle caused by certain drugs, such as anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin) or trastuzumab. Extravasation injury is the leakage of a vesicant drug (a drug that causes tissue damage) into the surrounding tissues, causing pain, swelling, necrosis, and infection. Cyclophosphamide is not a vesicant drug, but vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine) or platinum compounds (e.g., cisplatin) are .
Peripheral neuropathy and pulmonary fibrosis are not common adverse effects of cyclophosphamide. Peripheral neuropathy is the damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, causing numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet. Pulmonary fibrosis is the scarring of the lung tissue, causing shortness of breath, cough, and reduced oxygen levels. These complications are more likely to occur with drugs such as taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel) or bleomycin .
Hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity are not specific adverse effects of cyclophosphamide. Hepatotoxicity is the damage to the liver cells caused by certain drugs, such as methotrexate or acetaminophen. Gastrointestinal toxicity is the irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or mucositis. These side effects can occur with many chemotherapy drugs, but they are not unique to cyclophosphamide .
Choice A reason: Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that can cause damage to the kidneys and bladder, leading to nephrotoxicity and hemorrhagic cystitis. Nephrotoxicity is the impairment of kidney function due to exposure to toxic substances, and hemorrhagic cystitis is the inflammation and bleeding of the bladder wall. The nurse should monitor the client's urine output, specific gravity, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinalysis for signs of renal impairment and hematuria. The nurse should also encourage the client to drink plenty of fluids, administer mesna (a protective agent), and alkalinize the urine to prevent these complications .
Choice B reason: Cardiotoxicity and extravasation injury are not common adverse effects of cyclophosphamide. Cardiotoxicity is the damage to the heart muscle caused by certain drugs, such as anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin) or trastuzumab. Extravasation injury is the leakage of a vesicant drug (a drug that causes tissue damage) into the surrounding tissues, causing pain, swelling, necrosis, and infection. Cyclophosphamide is not a vesicant drug, but vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine) or platinum compounds (e.g., cisplatin) are .
Choice C reason: Peripheral neuropathy and pulmonary fibrosis are not common adverse effects of cyclophosphamide. Peripheral neuropathy is the damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, causing numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet. Pulmonary fibrosis is the scarring of the lung tissue, causing shortness of breath, cough, and reduced oxygen levels. These complications are more likely to occur with drugs such as taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel) or bleomycin .
Choice D reason: Hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity are not specific adverse effects of cyclophosphamide. Hepatotoxicity is the damage to the liver cells caused by certain drugs, such as methotrexate or acetaminophen. Gastrointestinal toxicity is the irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or mucositis. These side effects can occur with many chemotherapy drugs, but they are not unique to cyclophosphamide .
