Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 233

---

Which of the following contributes most to the debilitation of an individual during a course of chemotherapy?

  

     A. Diarrhea

     B. Alopecia

     C. Constipation

     D. Pain

    

    

Correct Answer: A. Diarrhea

---

Diarrhea will cause debilitation as fluid and nutrients are lost at a time when the body most needs to be nourished. Some cancer treatments can cause diarrhea, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery (if certain parts of the intestine need to be removed) and bone marrow transplants.

---

Option B: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is probably one of the most shocking aspects of oncological patients and underestimated by physicians. It negatively influences body image, sexuality, and self-esteem, so that up to 8% of patients decide to refuse chemotherapy if there is the risk of hair loss.

Option C: In addition to the medication being taken during cancer treatment, people with cancer may have other causes of constipation: Scar tissue from surgery or cancer growing in the bowel, which can narrow or partially block the bowel. A tumor or scar tissue completely blocking the bowel, called a bowel obstruction.

Option D: Some chemotherapy drugs can cause painful side effects, such as aching in the muscles and joints, headaches, and stomach pains. Pain may be felt as burning, numbness, tingling or shooting pains in the hands and feet (called peripheral nerve damage). This type of pain can last long after treatment ends.

---