A nurse is educating a client who has colon cancer and is receiving chemotherapy that causes anemia. The nurse should explain to the client that epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant, works by:
"Increasing the number of red blood cells in your blood."
"Increasing the amount of iron in your blood."
"Increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood."
"Increasing the number of platelets in your blood."
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
Increasing the number of red blood cells in your blood is the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Red blood cells are the cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. By increasing the number of red blood cells, epoetin alfa can improve the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood and reduce the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and pallor.
Choice B reason:
Increasing the amount of iron in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Iron is a mineral that is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in the red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, but it is not the main cause of anemia in clients receiving chemotherapy. Epoetin alfa does not increase the amount of iron in the blood, but it may increase the demand for iron, as more red blood cells are produced. The client may need to take iron supplements along with epoetin alfa to prevent iron deficiency.
Choice C reason:
Increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Oxygen is a gas that is inhaled from the air and diffuses into the blood through the lungs. The amount of oxygen in the blood depends on several factors, such as the atmospheric pressure, the respiratory rate, and the ventilationperfusion ratio. Epoetin alfa does not increase the amount of oxygen in the blood directly, but it can increase the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood indirectly, by increasing the number of red blood cells.
Choice D reason:
Increasing the number of platelets in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Platelets are cell fragments that are involved in blood clotting and hemostasis. Thrombocytopenia is a condition that causes low platelet count and increases the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by chemotherapy, but it is not treated by epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa does not increase the number of platelets in the blood, but it may increase the risk of thrombosis, as more red blood cells can make the blood more viscous. The client may need to take anticoagulant drugs along with epoetin alfa to prevent thrombosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Cardiotoxicity is not a common adverse effect of cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA strands and prevents cell division. Cyclophosphamide is used to treat ovarian cancer, a type of cancer that affects the female reproductive organs. Cardiotoxicity may be caused by other drugs, such as anthracyclines and trastuzumab, which are used to treat other types of cancer.
Choice B reason:
Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common and potentially serious adverse effect of cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent that is used to treat ovarian cancer. Hemorrhagic cystitis is inflammation and bleeding of the bladder, which can lead to infection, obstruction, and renal failure. Hemorrhagic cystitis is caused by the metabolite of cyclophosphamide, acrolein, which irritates the bladder lining. The nurse should administer mesna, a chemoprotective agent, to the client to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis. Mesna binds to acrolein and inactivates it, preventing it from damaging the bladder. The nurse should also encourage the client to drink plenty of fluids and void frequently to flush out the drug and its metabolites.
Choice C reason:
Nephrotoxicity is not a common adverse effect of cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent that is used to treat ovarian cancer. Nephrotoxicity may be caused by other drugs, such as cisplatin and methotrexate, which are used to treat other types of cancer.
Choice D reason:
Neurotoxicity is not a common adverse effect of cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent that is used to treat ovarian cancer. Neurotoxicity may be caused by other drugs, such as vincristine and paclitaxel, which are used to treat other types of cancer.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The liver is not the organ that is protected by amifostine, a chemoprotective agent, from nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin, a platinum compound that crosslinks DNA strands and prevents cell division. Cisplatin is used to treat lung cancer, a type of cancer that affects the respiratory system. The liver is not the primary target of cisplatin's toxicity, although it can cause hepatotoxicity in some cases. Amifostine does not prevent hepatotoxicity caused by cisplatin.
Choice B reason:
The kidneys are the organ that is protected by amifostine, a chemoprotective agent, from nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin, a platinum compound that is used to treat lung cancer. Nephrotoxicity is a common and potentially serious adverse effect of cisplatin, which can cause acute or chronic renal failure, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis. Nephrotoxicity is caused by the accumulation of cisplatin and its metabolites in the renal tubules, which leads to tubular damage and dysfunction. Amifostine can prevent or reduce nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin. Amifostine is a prodrug that is converted to an active form by alkaline phosphatase in the normal tissues, but not in the tumor tissues. The active form of amifostine scavenges free radicals and protects the renal cells from oxidative stress.
Choice C reason:
The heart is not the organ that is protected by amifostine, a chemoprotective agent, from nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin, a platinum compound that is used to treat lung cancer. The heart is not the primary target of cisplatin's toxicity, although it can cause cardiotoxicity in some cases. Amifostine does not prevent cardiotoxicity caused by cisplatin.
Choice D reason:
The lungs are not the organ that is protected by amifostine, a chemoprotective agent, from nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin, a platinum compound that is used to treat lung cancer. The lungs are the primary site of action of cisplatin, as it kills the lung cancer cells. Amifostine does not protect the lung cancer cells from cisplatin's cytotoxic effect, as it does not reach them in its active form. Amifostine does not prevent pulmonary toxicity caused by cisplatin.
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