Chemotherapy drugs target only cancer cells and do not affect normal cells.
Correct Answer
False
Chemotherapy drugs affect all rapidly dividing cells, including normal cells such as those in the bone marrow, GI tract, and hair follicles, causing significant side effects.
Question 2
Alopecia (hair loss) is a common side effect of many chemotherapy drugs.
Correct Answer
True
Because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, hair follicle cells are affected along with cancer cells, leading to temporary hair loss.
Question 3
Bone marrow suppression is a serious adverse effect of chemotherapy that increases infection risk.
Correct Answer
True
Chemotherapy damages bone marrow cells, reducing production of white blood cells (neutropenia), red blood cells (anemia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia).
Question 4
Neutropenia from chemotherapy increases the client's risk for infection.
Correct Answer
True
With fewer white blood cells to fight pathogens, chemotherapy clients are immunocompromised and must be monitored for signs of infection.
Question 5
Antiemetic medications are often given before chemotherapy to prevent nausea and vomiting.
Correct Answer
True
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a major side effect. Prophylactic antiemetics significantly improve client comfort and treatment adherence.
Question 6
Cancer cells grow and divide in an orderly, controlled manner.
Correct Answer
False
Cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably, forming tumors and potentially spreading (metastasizing) to other parts of the body.
Question 7
Alkylating agents are a class of chemotherapy drugs that damage cancer cell DNA to prevent replication.
Correct Answer
True
Alkylating agents cross-link DNA strands, preventing the cancer cell from dividing and eventually leading to cell death.
Question 8
Antimetabolites mimic normal cell building blocks and interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis.
Correct Answer
True
By substituting for normal metabolites, antimetabolites disrupt the synthesis of nucleic acids needed for cancer cell division.
Question 9
Clients receiving chemotherapy do not need monitoring of blood counts.
Correct Answer
False
Complete blood counts must be monitored frequently during chemotherapy to detect bone marrow suppression including neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
Question 10
Thrombocytopenia from chemotherapy increases the risk of bleeding.
Correct Answer
True
Low platelet counts impair the blood's ability to clot. Clients should be assessed for bruising, petechiae, and other signs of bleeding.
Question 11
Tumor lysis syndrome can occur when large numbers of cancer cells are rapidly destroyed by treatment.
Correct Answer
True
The rapid breakdown releases intracellular contents (potassium, phosphorus, uric acid) into the bloodstream, which can cause renal failure and cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 12
Monoclonal antibodies are a type of targeted cancer therapy.
Correct Answer
True
Unlike traditional chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies target specific proteins on cancer cells, often resulting in fewer effects on normal cells.
Question 13
Chemotherapy drugs are safe for nurses to handle without protective equipment.
Correct Answer
False
Chemotherapy drugs are hazardous materials. Nurses must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during preparation and administration.
Question 14
Anemia caused by chemotherapy may result in fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Correct Answer
True
Reduced red blood cell production decreases oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to symptoms of anemia that significantly impact quality of life.
Question 15
Vesicant chemotherapy drugs can cause severe tissue damage if they leak from the vein during administration.
Correct Answer
True
Extravasation of vesicant agents causes tissue necrosis. The nurse must monitor the IV site closely and know the specific antidote for each vesicant.
Question 16
All chemotherapy drugs have the same mechanism of action.
Correct Answer
False
Chemotherapy drugs work through various mechanisms including alkylation, antimetabolite activity, mitotic inhibition, and topoisomerase inhibition.
Question 17
The nadir is the point at which blood counts are at their lowest following chemotherapy.
Correct Answer
True
The nadir typically occurs 7 to 14 days after treatment. Clients are most vulnerable to infection and bleeding during this period.
Question 18
Clients with cancer only receive chemotherapy as a single treatment modality.
Correct Answer
False
Cancer treatment often involves multimodal therapy combining chemotherapy with surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy.
Question 19
Hormonal therapy may be used for hormone-sensitive cancers such as certain breast and prostate cancers.
Correct Answer
True
Medications like tamoxifen (breast) and leuprolide (prostate) target hormone receptors or reduce hormone production to slow cancer growth.
Question 20
The nurse should assess the client's oral mucosa during chemotherapy because mucositis is a common side effect.
Correct Answer
True
Chemotherapy damages rapidly dividing cells in the oral mucosa, causing painful inflammation, ulceration, and increased infection risk.
Question 21
Plant alkaloids like vincristine work by disrupting the mitotic spindle to prevent cell division.
Correct Answer
True
Vinca alkaloids bind to tubulin and prevent formation of the mitotic spindle, arresting cell division during mitosis.
Question 22
Clients receiving chemotherapy should avoid live vaccines.
Correct Answer
True
Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system, and live vaccines could cause infection in immunocompromised clients. Inactivated vaccines should be used instead.
Question 23
Hydration before and after certain chemotherapy regimens helps protect the kidneys from drug toxicity.
Correct Answer
True
Adequate hydration promotes renal clearance of chemotherapy drugs and their metabolites, reducing the risk of nephrotoxicity.
Question 24
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Correct Answer
True
Clients with mutations in these genes have significantly higher lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Question 25
Cancer staging is not important for determining the treatment plan.
Correct Answer
False
Staging determines the extent of cancer spread and is essential for selecting appropriate treatment, including the type and intensity of chemotherapy.