A patient who is to receive combination chemotherapy today has an ...

[michelleunicorn]

A patient who is to receive combination chemotherapy today has an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 6200 cells/mm3 . What is the certified chemotherapy nurse's best action?
 
  a. Administer the chemotherapy as prescribed.
  b. Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of infection.
  c. Hold the chemotherapy doses and notify the prescriber.
  d. Explain to the patient that the treatment must be delayed until the ANC is ac-ceptable.

Question 2

When it is time for a patient's third round of chemotherapy for colon cancer, the patient's white blood cell count is low and the treatment is delayed. The patient is upset at this delay. What is the nurse's best response?
 
  a. This extra time will give your hair a chance to grow back in.
  b. This is for the best. You are too weak to receive chemotherapy now.
  c. I will call the physician and request a prescription for something to calm your nerves.
  d. Try not to worry. Your counts will probably be high enough next week and the chemotherapy will work just as well then.

[amynguyen1221]

Answer to Question 1

A
Although there are exceptions, most agencies permit therapy only if the patient's total WBC is above 2000 cells/mm3 or if the ANC, which includes the segmented neutrophils (segs, polys, PMNs) and band neutrophils (bands) together, are at least 1500 cells/mm3 . This patient's ANC is well above the minimum needed to receive chemotherapy.

Answer to Question 2

D
Many patients are concerned that a delay of chemotherapy will mean that they are missing a treatment and that cancer cells will overgrow. Delayed treatments are not missed treatments, and 1 week's additional growth time for colon cancer is not significant.

[michelleunicorn]

Excellent

[upturnedfurball]

TYSM