Myelosuppression associated with chemotherapeutic agents or some ...

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Myelosuppression associated with chemotherapeutic agents or some malignancies such as leukemia can cause bleeding tendencies because of a/an:
 
  a. Decrease in leukocytes. c. Vitamin C deficiency.
  b. Increase in lymphocytes. d. Decrease in blood platelets.

Question 2

A child with leukemia is receiving triple intrathecal chemotherapy consisting of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone. The purpose of this is to prevent:
 
  a. Infection.
  b. Brain tumor.
  c. Drug side effects.
  d. Central nervous system (CNS) disease.

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Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The decrease in blood platelets secondary to the myelosuppression of chemotherapy can cause an increase in bleeding. The child and family should be alerted to avoid risk of injury. Decrease in leukocytes, increase in lymphocytes, and vitamin C deficiency would not affect bleeding tendencies.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
For certain children, CNS prophylactic therapy is indicated. This drug regimen is used to prevent CNS leukemia. This regimen does not prevent infection or drug side effects. If the child has a brain tumor in addition to leukemia, additional therapy would be indicated.