Chemotherapy Flashcards

1
Q

What is extravasation of IV drugs? What can chemo drugs cause?

A

Leakage of the drug into surrounding tissue

Extravasation of cytotoxics Can lead to permanent tissue damage

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2
Q

Chemotherapy can cause Neutropenic sepsis, a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. This is essentially neutropenia. What are the symptoms?

A

General Malaise/ high temp above 37.5 (due to infection)

Shivering/ flu-like symptoms

Uncontrolled gum/ nose bleeds (due to low platelets)

Bruising

Mouth ulcers (worse than usual)

Diarrhoea/ uncontrolled vomiting (dont forget- chemo can cause some vomiting itself)

Advise patient to go to A&E asap and not to take paracetamol

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3
Q

What are the Side effects of Chemotherapy?

A

Oral mucositis- inflammation of the mouth- ulcers and pain or difficulty swallowing.

Diarrhoea

Nausea and vomitting

Hyperuricaemia (high uric acid level)

Alopecia

dry mouth

Neutropenia

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4
Q

Which Chemo drugs can only be given by IV administration only?

A

VINCA ALKALOIDS

e.g. Vinblastine, Vincristine (all the Vin’s)

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5
Q

Which two immunosuppressant drugs used in chemo have a lot of interactions, plus must always maintain the same brand?

A

Ciclosporin

Tacrolimus

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6
Q

What is important to let patients know on therapy with Azathioprine?

A

Reporting- Blood disorders- sore throat, mouth ulcers, bleeding, fever- seek medical attention

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7
Q

Which chemo drugs have a lower emetogenic (vomitting) potential?

A

Methotrexate

Vinca alkaloids- vinblastine, vincristine

Highly emetogenic: Cisplatin, dacarbazine

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8
Q

How much will a patient recieving treatment for unpleasant side effects they experienced from their last dose of chemotherapy, have to pay for their prescription of Folinic acid (used for methotrexate side effects)?

A

Nothing- free

Those on cancer meds and on meds for effects of cancer are medically exempt

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9
Q

Tamoxifen is usually used for breast cancer at a dose of 20mg daily. It can increase the risk of another cancer: ______ cancer. It can also result in thromboembolism and patients are required to report symptoms like?

A

Endometrial cancer

Symptoms such as SOB, pain in one leg

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10
Q

Which class of chemotherapy drug is Cardio toxic and associated with cardiomyopathy?

A

Anthracyclines eg

Doxorubicin

Epirubicin

Daunorubicin

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11
Q

What class of anti cancer drugs are useful for lung and breast cancers?

A

Vinca- alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine)

Also for Leukaemias and Lymphomas

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12
Q

What drug is used as a protectorant from cytotoxic induced urothelial toxcitiy such as heamorrhagic cystitis/ blood in urine?

A

Mesna

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13
Q

What antiemetic is indicated for chemo-therapy induced nausea and vomiting?

A

Ondansetron

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14
Q

What would a high temperature following a dose of Chemo indicate?

A

Febrile Neutropenia

Remember neutropenia warning signs = fever- this is all it is

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15
Q

Which 2 anticancer drugs DO NOT cause bone marrow suppression?

A

Bleomycin (an anthracycline cytotoxic antibiotic)

Vincristine

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16
Q

When does bone marrow suppression, caused by most chemo drugs bar vincristine and bleomycin, usually occur?

A

7 -10 days after administration