Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 221
Lorraine who is on chemotherapy has a history of cardiac disease. The client is at risk for cardiac complications because:
A. White blood cells are reduced.
B. Oxygen-carrying capacity may be reduced.
C. Sodium levels may rise meaning fluid overload.
D. Hematocrit is lowered.
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen-carrying capacity may be reduced.
If hemoglobin and red cell counts drop from myelosuppression, the oxygen-carrying capacity will fall, leaving the person at risk for angina. Some chemotherapy agents cause the heart muscle to weaken soon after chemotherapy begins. Novel angiogenesis inhibitors that suppress new blood vessel formation cause blood pressure to rise dramatically and may increase the risk of blood clots and heart failure.
Option A: Hormonal therapies can cause stroke, heart attacks, and blood clots. Other agents can trigger low blood flow to the heart (ischemia), heart attack, arrhythmias, or inflammation of the sac around the heart. When a severe reaction occurs while a drug is being infused, it may be necessary to stop the treatment.
Option C: The cardiotoxicity of anticancer agents can lead to significant complications that can affect patients being treated for various malignancies. The severity of such toxicity depends on many factors such as the molecular site of action, the immediate and cumulative dose, the method of administration, the presence of any underlying cardiac condition, and the demographics of the patient.
Option D: Moreover, toxicity can be affected by current or previous treatment with other antineoplastic agents. Cardiotoxic effects can occur immediately during administration of the drug, or they may not manifest themselves until months or years after the patient has been treated.