Question

tic and Lymphatic Disorders dy. Use critical thinking skills to discuss and answer the questions that follow cy room with combination of antineoplastics: vincristine (Oncovin), . The client doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and a steroid dexametha- er, chills, and sone (Decadron). The physician orders a white blood ment, the cli- cell (WBC) count with differential and electrolytes. dications are The WBC results indicate low granulocyte counts e that he is (neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils). The blood is receiving a chemistry panel an elevated blood sugar level. urrent medi- t's illness? provide for this client? op. ntinu- gnos nen the is e blood 4. What advantages does using this combination of d dlert gse client vincristine (Oncovin), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and dexamethasone (Decadron)-provide for the client as treatment for his multiple myeloma? ceiving rugs that T. escripti past 6 Box 31 extren of infe he infe

Answer 1

4.

• Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer related to lymphoma and leukemia. In multiple myeloma, a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell multiplies unusually. Normally, they make antibodies that fight infections. But in multiple myeloma, they release too much protein (called immunoglobulin) into your bones and blood. It builds up throughout your body and causes organ damage.
• Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of drugs to destroy or control cancer cells. These drugs can be taken by mouth or given in a vein or a muscle. They enter the bloodstream and reach almost all areas of the body.
• Chemo drugs used to treat multiple myeloma include: Melphalan, Vincristine (Oncovin), Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), Etoposide (VP-16), Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil), Bendamustine (Treanda)
• Often one of these drugs is combined with other types of drugs like corticosteroids and immunomodulating agents (drugs that will change the patient’s immune response). Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone and prednisone, are an important part of the treatment of multiple myeloma. They can be used alone or combined with other drugs as a part of treatment. Corticosteroids are used to help decrease the nausea and vomiting that chemo may cause.
• These combination of medications target proteins, genes, or tissues and prevent cancer from growing.