A patient is receiving fluorouracil (Adrucil) as a continuous ...

[misspop]

A patient is receiving fluorouracil (Adrucil) as a continuous intravenous dose to treat a solid tumor. The patient reports soreness and blisters in the mouth, loose stools, and tingling of the hands and feet. What will the nurse do?
 
  a. Contact the provider to discuss bolus dosing instead of continuous dosing.
  b. Discontinue the medication and contact the provider to report these symptoms.
  c. Reassure the patient that these are expected, uncomfortable side effects.
  d. Request an order for dexamethasone to treat these side effects.

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a patient who will undergo chemotherapy with fluorouracil (Adrucil) to treat a solid tumor. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of this chemotherapeutic agent's actions?
 
  a. Fluorouracil acts to deprive cancer cells of thymidylate needed to make DNA.
  b. Fluorouracil causes accumulation of adenosine, which inhibits DNA synthesis.
  c. Fluorouracil disrupts the biosynthesis of nucleic acids.
  d. Fluorouracil inhibits DNA polymerase in cancer cells.

[bob]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Stomatitis, GI symptoms, and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesias are dose-limiting side effects of fluorouracil, characterized by the symptoms described. When these occur, the provider should be notified. Continuous dosing is generally less toxic than bolus dosing. Reassurance without discontinuing the medication and contacting the provider is not correct. Dexamethasone is not given to counter these effects.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Fluorouracil acts by depriving cancer cells of thymidylate, which is necessary to make DNA. It does not cause the accumulation of adenosine, disrupt the biosynthesis of nucleic acids, or inhibit DNA polymerase.

[misspop]

Excellent

[frankwu0507]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it