A patient receiving chemotherapy is given a medication prior to treatment to prevent nausea and vomiting. The nurse monitors for QT prolongation. Which medication is this?
Ondansetron
A patient receiving chemotherapy is given ondansetron and later reports a mild headache and constipation. What is the appropriate nursing action?
Continue medication and monitor
A patient receiving chemotherapy is scheduled to receive ondansetron prior to treatment. The patient reports mild nausea but is otherwise stable. What is the nurse’s FIRST action?
Administer ondansetron as ordered
A patient receives ondansetron prior to chemotherapy and reports nausea relief but later requires continued antiemetic support during treatment. What condition is being managed?
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
A patient receiving ondansetron reports mild constipation and headache. What is the priority action?
Continue medication and monitor
A patient undergoing chemotherapy develops severe bone pain after starting a medication to increase white blood cell production. Which medication is this?
Filgrastim
A patient receiving filgrastim reports severe bone pain. What is the best nursing response?
Administer prescribed analgesics and continue therapy
A patient receiving chemotherapy has an ANC of 500 and a temperature of 101°F. The provider has ordered filgrastim. What is the nurse’s FIRST action?
Initiate neutropenic precautions and notify provider
A patient receiving chemotherapy is started on filgrastim after labs show a critically low neutrophil count. What condition is being treated?
Neutropenia
A patient receiving filgrastim reports severe bone pain but has stable vital signs and labs. What is the priority action?
Administer analgesics and continue therapy
A patient receiving chemotherapy develops mouth sores, diarrhea, and low blood counts. The provider suspects toxicity from a medication that interferes with DNA synthesis. Which medication is most likely responsible?
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
A patient receiving vincristine develops progressive numbness in the hands and feet and has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. What is the priority nursing action?
Notify provider and assess for worsening neuropathy/constipation
A patient receiving vincristine reports worsening numbness and has not had a bowel movement in several days. What is the nurse’s FIRST action?
Assess bowel function and notify provider
A patient receiving vincristine develops:
What condition is most likely occurring?
Peripheral neuropathy (chemo-induced neurotoxicity)
A patient receiving vincristine develops:
What is the red flag and action?
Suspected ileus → hold medication and notify provider
A patient receiving chemotherapy develops numbness/tingling in the hands and feet along with constipation. Which medication is causing this, and what is the priority concern?
Vincristine
A patient on doxorubicin develops new fatigue, dyspnea, and mild edema. What is the priority nursing action?
Hold medication and notify provider → evaluate cardiac function
A patient receiving cisplatin is due for their next dose. Labs show elevated creatinine. What is the nurse’s FIRST action?
Hold the medication and notify provider
A patient receiving doxorubicin develops:
What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (heart failure)
A patient receiving doxorubicin develops:
What is the red flag and action?
Cardiotoxicity → hold medication and notify provider immediately
A patient receiving chemotherapy develops:
The provider is concerned about cumulative toxicity. Which medication is most likely responsible, and what must be monitored?
Doxorubicin
A patient receiving cisplatin has:
What is the priority nursing action?
Hold medication and notify provider immediately
A patient receiving doxorubicin develops:
The next dose is due. What is the nurse’s FIRST action?
Hold the medication and notify provider → cardiac evaluation
A patient receiving cisplatin develops:
What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
Nephrotoxicity with ototoxicity
patient receiving cisplatin develops:
What is the red flag and action?
Nephrotoxicity + ototoxicity → hold medication and notify provider immediately