Anti Cancer Drugs

Antineoplastic Side Effects

N/V/D, alopecia, bone marrow suppression, decreased WBC/RBC/Platelets

What can N/V result in using antineoplastic drugs?

Metabolic imbalances, nutritional depletion, fractures, wound dehiscence

Filgrastim

Growth factor used to stimulate the production, maturation, and activation of neutrophils

Normal WBC Range

4,500 - 11,000

Side Effects of Filgrastim

Bone pain, fever, fatigue, N/V

Epoetin Alfa

Man-made form of protein that helps body produce RBCs, used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy

Normal Range of RBCs

4.6 – 6.1

Side Effects of Epoetin Alfa

Tissue swelling, SOB, upper respiratory infection, fever, diarrhea

Thrombocytopenia

Blood has lower than normal number of platelets

What can a low number of platelets cause?

Bleeding and other complications in patients with cancer 

After chemotherapy, what should you notify your provider regarding?

Temperature >100.4, persistent bleeding, mouth sores, SOB, uncontrollable N/V/D

Extravasation

Leakage of IV infused, potentially damaging, medications into the extravascular tissue around the site of infusion

Irritants

Superficial temporary tissue damage

Vesicants

Serious tissue damage

Cytotoxic agents are primarily eliminated from the patient via?

Renal + Hepatic Excretion

PPE with Anti Cancer Drugs

Gloves, disposable gown, eye + face protection

Patient waste should be disposed in?

Normal sewage system or via a pan flusher (double flushing is required)

Protective measures are required how many hours following cytotoxic agent administration?

72 Hours

Where should disposable diapers, colostomy, and urostomy bags be disposed in?

Cytotoxic waste containers

Patient Education of Anti Cancer Drugs

Flush toilet twice, men + women sit on toilet to use it, if vomiting into toilet they should clean off all splashes and flush twice