A patient will begin receiving vincristine (Oncovin) to treat ...

[Collmarie]

A patient will begin receiving vincristine (Oncovin) to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. Which side effect(s) will the nurse tell the patient to report immediately?
 
  a. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
  b. Hair loss
  c. Headaches
  d. Tingling of the extremities

Question 2

A patient will begin chemotherapy with cisplatin. Which medications will the nurse expect to administer to offset this agent's side effects?
 
  a. Amifostine (Ethyol), diuretics, and antiemetics
  b. Antiemetics, vitamin B12, and glucocorticoids
  c. Dexamethasone, antiemetics, and vistonuridine
  d. Folic acid, gabapentin, and vitamin B12

[jordangronback]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Peripheral neuropathy is the major dose-limiting toxicity of vincristine. Patients should be counseled to report tingling of the extremities. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss may occur but are expected. Headaches are not likely.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Amifostine and diuretics are given to help minimize kidney damage with cisplatin. Antiemetics are given to minimize nausea and vomiting, which can be severe with this drug. Vitamin B12 is used to reduce toxicity to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by pralatrexate. Vistonuridine is used to treat fluorouracil overdose. Folic acid is not used to counter cisplatin side effects. Gabapentin is used to minimize neuropathy when oxaliplatin is used.

[Collmarie]

Excellent

[bigcheese9]

Gracias!