Chapter 52: Anti-Emetic Test, Chemotherapy, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
The key terms in this Pharmacology course include Anti-Emetic Test, Chemotherapy, Patient, Nausea, Nurse, Pharmacology for Nurses: Practical Applications
When reviewing the drugs uses for nausea and vomiting, the nurse recalls that which drug is a synthetic derivative of the major active substance in marijuana?
a. Ondansetron
b. Dronabinol
c. Prochlorperazine
d. Metoclopramide
The nurse would recognize that aprepitant is primarily indicated to treat which disorder ?
a. Pyloric stenosis
b. Nausea associated with chemotherapy
c. Achlorhydria
d. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Ondansetron is usually given how many minutes prior to receiving chemotherapy in an effort to prevent nausea and vomiting ?
a. 15-20 mins
b. 30- 60 mins
c. 10-20 mins
d. 30- 90 mins
Prokinetic drugs, like Metoclopramide, increase gastrointestinal motility. True or False ?
True
False
An adult patient is about to receive intravenous (IV) ondansetron (Zofran) during a chemotherapy treatment. A dose of 0.15 mg/kg IV 30 minutes before chemotherapy is ordered. The patient weighs 140 pounds. The medication is supplied in a vial marked 2 mg/mL for IV administration. Identify how many milliliters the nurse will administer for this dose. (record answer to one decimal place) __
Correct Answer
4.8 mL
Convert pounds to kilograms: 140 ÷ 2.2 = 63.6 kg.
Calculate milligrams per dose: 0.15 mg/kg × 63.6 kg = 9.54 = 9.5 mg/dose.
Calculate milliliters to be given:
mg:1 mL :: 9.5 mg:x mL.
(2 × x) = (1 × 9.5); 2x = 9.5; x = 4.75, which rounds to 4.8 mL.
A patient is on a chemotherapy regimen in an outpatient clinic and is receiving a chemotherapy drug that is known to be highly emetogenic. The nurse will implement which interventions regarding the pharmacologic management of nausea and vomiting? (Select all that apply.)
Administering antinausea drugs 30 to 60 minutes before chemotherapy is started
Instructing the patient that the antinausea drugs may cause extreme drowsiness
Giving antinausea drugs at the beginning of the chemotherapy infusion
Observing carefully for the adverse effects of restlessness and anxiety
For best therapeutic effects, medicating for nausea once the symptoms begin
Instructing the patient to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position because of possible orthostatic hypotension
Antiemetics should be given before any chemotherapy drug is administered, often 30 to 60 minutes before treatment, but not immediately before chemotherapy is administered. Do not wait until the nausea begins. Most antiemetics cause drowsiness, not restlessness and anxiety. Orthostatic hypotension is a possible adverse effect that may lead to injury.