Wk1 Treatment options: Drug Options, Side Effects , Indications For Relief Of Symptoms

Question 1

What do the treatment options of Leukaemia depend on?

Answer 1

This will depend on:

• the type of leukaemia
• The stage of disease
• The general fitness of the individual

Question 2

What are the treatment options for leukaemia?

Answer 2

Active monitoring (watch and wait)
- individuals with slow- developing blood cancers do not need treatment straight away.
- they will need to be carefully monitored and will only start treatment when it is needed
- Active monitoring does not mean the pt cannot be treated
- it is offered when the consultant believes there is no added benefits to starting the treatment straight away

Targeted therapies
- are drugs that work by targeting proteins or genetic changes that cancer cells have, which normal cells do not have.
- it works by targeting what is making the cancer cell grow & inhibiting its supply.
- For example, angiogenesis inhibitors that inhibit the supply of blood and oxygen to the cancer cells.
- along with the cancer growth inhibitors that blocks the signal that promote the growth and division of cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapies destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Chemotherapy is administered in cycles, usually within 2-6 cycle.
This depends on:

• the pt prognosis
• the medication type
• its side effect
• the time needed to recover from the side effects of the treatment.

This is because chemotherapy damages both healthy bone marrow cells and cancer cells.

Question 3

How is the chemotherapy treatment administered?

Answer 3

Chemotherapy could be administered:
- orally
- intrathecally
- subcutaneously
- intravenously

Administered through a central venous access device such as:

• PICC Line
• Hickman line
• Portacath

Question 4

What are the side effects of chemotherapy,

Answer 4

Fatigue
Anaemia
Mucositis
Changed in bowel habits
Nausea or vomiting
Hair loss or hair thinning
Infertility
Long term health problems with thyroid, heart and lungs

Question 5

What are the chemotherapy safety considerations for nurses and patients?

Answer 5

Administration routes
Protective equipment
The right disposal

Question 6

Why is using PPE important when treating patients with leukaemia?

Answer 6

Wearing an accurate personal protective equipment is required to prevent direct contact with medication. This prevents inhalation, absorption and digestion.

The PPE required are:

Apron
Gloves
Nose masks
Face shields
Eye shields
Water repellent footwear

Question 7

What colour bin should chemotherapy products be discarded?

Answer 7

Purple bin