OCN Cancer Treatment Modalities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which chemotherapy agent is classified as an alkylating agent?
- Cyclophosphamide (Correct answer)
- Vincristine
- Doxorubicin
- Methotrexate
Correct answer: Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that works by cross-linking DNA strands to prevent cell replication.
Question 2: What is the primary mechanism of action of taxanes such as paclitaxel?
- DNA cross-linking
- Stabilizing microtubules to prevent mitosis (Correct answer)
- Inhibiting topoisomerase II
- Blocking folate metabolism
Correct answer: Stabilizing microtubules to prevent mitosis
Taxanes like paclitaxel stabilize microtubules, preventing their disassembly and thus blocking cell division.
Question 3: A patient receiving external beam radiation develops brisk erythema and moist desquamation. This is classified as what grade of acute skin toxicity per CTCAE?
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4
Correct answer: Grade 3
Moist desquamation is CTCAE Grade 3 radiation dermatitis, requiring wound care and possible treatment interruption.
Question 4: Which route of administration is used for intrathecal chemotherapy?
- Intravenous
- Into the cerebrospinal fluid space (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous
- Intraperitoneal
Correct answer: Into the cerebrospinal fluid space
Intrathecal chemotherapy is injected directly into the cerebrospinal fluid via lumbar puncture or Ommaya reservoir to treat or prevent CNS disease.
Question 5: What is the nadir in the context of chemotherapy administration?
- The peak drug concentration in blood
- The point of lowest blood cell counts after chemotherapy (Correct answer)
- The cumulative lifetime dose limit
- The first day of a new chemotherapy cycle
Correct answer: The point of lowest blood cell counts after chemotherapy
The nadir is the lowest point of blood counts (especially neutrophils) following chemotherapy, typically occurring 7–14 days after treatment.
Question 6: A patient is prescribed bevacizumab. The nurse knows this drug targets which molecular pathway?
- HER2/neu receptor
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Correct answer)
- BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase
- EGFR tyrosine kinase
Correct answer: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.
OCN Cancer Treatment Modalities 1
Which chemotherapy agent is classified as an alkylating agent?