NCLEX Review: Cancer Treatments

Cancer Treatments:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be used to:

Destroy cancer cells
Stop cancer cells from spreading
Slow the growth of cancer cells

Side Effects

Anemia
Appetite Changes
Bleeding Problems
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain
Swelling (Fluid Retention)

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.

THIS INCLUDES:

X-rays
Gamma

The radiation may be delivered by a machine outside the body or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy).

Cachexia– extreme body wasting and malnutrition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN THERAPY:

Fluid Shifts
Severe Inflammatory Reaction
Capillary Leak

***♠ The most serious side effect of Chemotherapy is BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION.

***♣ The major complication of intravenous chemotherapy is = EXTRAVASATION.

♠ Most common reaction to biological modifier tharapy:

Fever
Chill
Malaise

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome= Pt. will have severe facial edema and epistaxis

DIC/ Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation– Severe bleeding in IV sites, dyspnea and tachycardia.

NCLEX Review & Nursing School