CPHON Chemotherapy Administration and Safety

Question 1

Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST important when administering intravenous vesicant chemotherapy to a pediatric patient?

Accepted Answer

Double gloves and a gown

Answer

Double gloves and a gown are required when handling vesicant chemotherapy agents to protect the nurse from skin exposure.

Question 2

A child receiving vincristine develops jaw pain and peripheral tingling. The nurse recognizes these as signs of:

Accepted Answer

Peripheral neuropathy

Answer

Vincristine is a known neurotoxin; jaw pain and peripheral tingling are hallmark signs of vinca alkaloid-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Question 3

When preparing to administer intrathecal chemotherapy to a child, which action is MOST critical?

Accepted Answer

Verify the drug with a second licensed nurse

Answer

Intrathecal chemotherapy must be verified by two licensed nurses because errors can be immediately life-threatening.

Question 4

A nurse notices swelling and burning at a child's IV site during doxorubicin infusion. The FIRST action should be:

Accepted Answer

Stop the infusion immediately and disconnect the IV

Answer

Stopping the infusion immediately and disconnecting the IV prevents further tissue exposure to the vesicant agent.

Question 5

Which chemotherapy agent requires prehydration and mesna to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis?

Accepted Answer

Ifosfamide

Answer

Ifosfamide is metabolized to acrolein, which is toxic to the bladder; mesna binds acrolein and prehydration dilutes it.

CPHON Exam Practice Test