Cancer Basics & Terminology
Any substance that damages DNA and can lead to cancer.
What is a carcinogen?
The biggest disadvantage of systemic cancer therapy.
What is damage to normal tissue?
Normal ANC range.
What is 2,500–6,000?
What are alkylating agents?
What are alkylating agents?
Patients should take antiemetics this way during chemo.
What is around the clock (not PRN)?
This assessment question helps identify cancer risk.
What is exposure to carcinogens, genetics, or immune status?
Abnormal, invasive cell growth with no useful purpose.
What is malignancy?
Only these healthcare professionals may administer chemotherapy.
What are chemotherapy-certified RNs?
This ANC finding requires immediate reporting.
What is low ANC (neutropenia)?
These drugs act as “fake” metabolites to disrupt cell processes.
What are antimetabolites?
This happens if patients wait until nausea begins.
What is vomiting, dehydration, possible hospitalization?
A patient has platelets of 45,000. What is your concern?
What is increased bleeding risk?
Actions that kill or damage cells.
What is cytotoxic?
This lab value is most important for infection risk monitoring during chemo.
What is ANC (absolute neutrophil count)?
Platelet count below this level increases bleeding risk.
What is <50,000?
These drugs damage DNA and interrupt RNA synthesis.
What are antitumor antibiotics?
These symptoms indicate worsening infection (name one).
What is sore throat, fatigue, or shivering?
A chemo patient reports constipation and numbness in fingers. Likely cause?
What is antimitotic drug toxicity (neuropathy + constipation)?
Cancer begins when this happens to normal cells.
What is DNA mutation or altered gene expression?
A patient should avoid crowds during this time after chemo.
What is 7–10 days post-treatment?
This platelet level can lead to spontaneous bleeding.
What is <20,000?
This drug class is known for causing peripheral neuropathy.
What are antimitotic agents (e.g., vincristine)?
This is the primary reason chemo patients are infection-prone.
What is immune suppression (low WBCs/neutrophils)?
A patient refuses antiemetics until nauseated. What is your response?
What is educate to take around the clock to prevent severe symptoms?
These viruses are known to cause cancer (name one).
What is HPV, EBV, HBV, or HCV?
This step is essential before giving chemo due to high interaction risk.
What is review medication history/check with pharmacist?
The earliest sign of infection in a chemo patient.
What is fever (≥98.6°F or higher than baseline)?
This population is at higher risk for neuropathy from vincristine.
What are young children?
This is the primary reason chemo patients are infection-prone.
What is exposure to carcinogens, genetics, or immune status?
A chemotherapy patient 8 days post-treatment presents with: Fever of 100.4°F, ANC of 1,200, Platelets of 40,000, Extreme fatigue. Identify the THREE priority concerns.
What are: Neutropenia → infection risk (priority), Thrombocytopenia → bleeding risk, Systemic chemo effects → fatigue/immune suppression