A 31-year-old patient with breast cancer is concerned about being ...

[FButt]

A 31-year-old patient with breast cancer is concerned about being prescribed a hormonal medication to help block the effects of estrogen on the growth of breast cancer cells.
 
  The nurse should provide education about which of the following likely medications?
  A)
  Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a biologic therapy
  B)
  Nolvadex (Tamoxifen), a nonsteroidal antiestrogen
  C)
  Progesterone, a hormone.
  D)
  Arimidex (anastrozole), an aromatase inhibitor.

Question 2

A 31-year-old woman and her husband have presented to their family physician due to their inability to conceive a child after trying for the last 18 months.
 
  Which of the following will the nurse practitioner want to specifically rule out as potential contributing factors? Select all that apply.
  A)
  Cryptorchidism in the husband
  B)
  Slow maturation of the endothelial lining after ovulation
  C)
  Low levels of LH and FSH in the wife
  D)
  Large amounts of clear, stretchy cervical mucus
  E)
  Sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea or chlamydial infection.

[brittiany.barnes]

Answer to Question 1

Ans:
B

Feedback:

Hormone therapy is used to block the effects of estrogen on the growth of breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen is a nonsteroidal antiestrogen that binds to estrogen receptors and blocks the effects of estrogens on the growth of malignant cells in the breast. Herceptin is used to stop the growth of breast tumors that express the HER2/neu receptor on their cell surface. Arimidex, an aromatase inhibitor, blocks the enzyme that converts androstenedione and testosterone to estrogen in the peripheral tissues. This reduces the circulating estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.

Answer to Question 2

Ans:
A, B, C, E

Feedback:

Cryptorchidism, luteal phase defects, low pituitary hormone levels, and an inability of the tubes to pick up an ovum can all contribute to infertility. A large amount of clear, stretchy cervical mucus is a normal finding. Cervical cultures for gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, and mycoplasmal infection should be obtained and treatment instituted as needed.

[FButt]

Excellent

[patma1981]

TYSM