CCNS Drugs Quiz and Flashcards for Pharmacology

Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of Cell Cycle-Nonspecific (CCNS) antineoplastic drugs?

They are cytotoxic during a specific cell cycle phase

They are cytotoxic during any cell cycle phase (correct)

They are not cytotoxic during any cell cycle phase

They are only used to treat solid tumors

Which phase of the cell cycle is characterized by the cell copying its DNA?

S (correct)

What is the term for the adverse effects that prevent an antineoplastic drug from being given in higher dosages?

Radioactive effects

Cytotoxic effects

Dose-limiting adverse effects (correct)

Paraneoplastic syndromes

What is the term for a group of symptoms that cannot be directly attributed to the spread of a cancerous tumor?

Paraneoplastic syndromes Signup and view all the answers

What is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy drugs?

Hair loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using a combination of chemotherapy drugs?

It is usually more effective than single-drug therapy Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are most affected by chemotherapy drugs?

All rapidly growing cells Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a Cell Cycle-Specific (CCS) drug?

Mitotic inhibitors Signup and view all the answers

At which phase of the cell cycle do mitotic inhibitors work?

In various phases, including late S phase, G2 phase, and M phase Signup and view all the answers

What is a common indication for the use of mitotic inhibitors?

Treating a variety of solid tumors and some hematologic malignancies Signup and view all the answers

What is a common adverse effect of mitotic inhibitors?

Convulsions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to assess baseline blood counts before administering antineoplastic drugs?

To monitor for effects on bone marrow components Signup and view all the answers

What is a nursing implication for patients with neutropenia or leukopenia?

Implementing measures to monitor for and prevent infection Signup and view all the answers

What is a measure to reduce the effects of stomatitis?

Offering oral care and hydration Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to monitor for therapeutic responses to antineoplastic therapies?

To monitor for therapeutic responses and adverse effects Signup and view all the answers

What is a consideration for women of childbearing age during antineoplastic therapy?

Using a nondrug form of contraception Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the suppression of bone marrow function, resulting in a reduced number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets?

Myelosuppression Signup and view all the answers

What is the lowest level of WBCs in the blood after chemotherapy or radiation treatment?

Nadir Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unintended leakage of a chemotherapy drug into the surrounding tissues outside of the IV line?

Extravasation Signup and view all the answers

What type of therapy uses drugs that recognize a specific molecule involved in the growth of cancer cells, while mostly sparing healthy cells?

Targeted therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the class of drugs that work by antagonizing the actions of key cellular metabolites?

Antimetabolites Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is used to treat severe cases of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Methotrexate Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the potential of a drug to cause nausea and vomiting?

Emetic potential Signup and view all the answers

What is the class of drugs that includes vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine?

Mitotic inhibitors Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the hair loss caused by chemotherapy?

Alopecia Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of alkylating drugs?

They alter the chemical structure of the cells' DNA Signup and view all the answers

Which taxane is derived from the bark of the Western (Pacific) yew tree?

Paclitaxel Signup and view all the answers

What type of tumors can cisplatin be used to treat?

Solid tumors Signup and view all the answers

What is a common adverse effect of alkylating drugs?

Nausea and vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of hormonal therapy in cancer treatment?

To oppose the effects of hormones Signup and view all the answers

What is a contraindication for tamoxifen?

Pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

What is an important nursing implication during chemotherapy?

Assessing baseline blood counts before administering antineoplastic drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential complication associated with bone marrow suppression?

Anemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of cytoprotective drugs?

To reduce toxicities associated with chemotherapy Signup and view all the answers

What is an oncologic emergency that may require close monitoring?

Infections Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of methotrexate aside from cancer treatment?

Rheumatoid arthritis management Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Cycle-Nonspecific (CCNS) vs Cell Cycle-Specific (CCS) Drugs

CCNS drugs: cytotoxic during any cell-cycle stage, miscellaneous CCS drugs, hormonal agents, and radioactive antineoplastics
CCS drugs: cytotoxic during a specific cell-cycle phase, used to treat a variety of solid or circulating tumors

Cell Cycle Phases

G0: resting phase
G1: first gap phase (cell increases in size)
S: synthesis phase (cell copies its DNA)
G2: second gap phase (cell prepares to divide)
M: mitosis phase (cell reproduction, cell divides)

Chemotherapy

Drugs have a narrow therapeutic index
Combination of drugs is usually more effective than single-drug therapy
Drug resistance is possible
Nearly all drugs cause adverse effects, which can be dose-limiting
Harmful to all rapidly growing cells, including:
- Hair follicles
- Gastrointestinal (GI) tract cells
- Bone marrow cells

Chemotherapy Terms

Dose-limiting adverse effects: adverse effects that prevent an antineoplastic drug from being given in higher dosages, often restricting the effectiveness of the drug
Alopecia: hair loss
Emetic potential: the potential of a drug to cause nausea and vomiting
Myelosuppression: suppression of bone marrow function, which can result in a decreased number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Nadir: the lowest level of WBCs in the blood after chemotherapy or radiation treatment

Targeted Therapy

Uses drugs that recognize a specific molecule involved in the growth of cancer cells, while mostly sparing healthy cells
Examples: monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)

Antimetabolites

Cell cycle-specific analogues that work by antagonizing the actions of key cellular metabolites
Inhibit cellular growth by interfering with the synthesis or actions of compounds critical to cellular reproduction
Examples:
- Folate (folic acid) antagonists (e.g., methotrexate, pemetrexed, pralatrexate)
- Purine antagonists (e.g., fludarabine, mercaptopurine, thioguanine)
- Pyrimidine antagonists (e.g., fluorouracil, cytarabine, capecitabine)
Indications: used to treat various types of cancer, including acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemias, colon, rectal, breast, stomach, lung, and pancreatic cancers
Adverse effects: hair loss, nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatobiliary, GI, genitourinary, dermatologic, ocular, otic, and metabolic toxicity

Mitotic Inhibitors

Natural products obtained from the periwinkle plant (e.g., vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine)
Mechanism of action: work in various phases of the cell cycle, delaying cell division
Indications: used to treat a variety of solid tumors and some hematologic malignancies, including testicular, small cell lung, breast, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancers
Adverse effects: hair loss, nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, liver, kidney, lung toxicities, convulsions, and extravasation

Alkylating Drugs

Cell cycle-nonspecific (CCNS) antineoplastic drugs
Examples: cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, mechlorethamine
Mechanism of action: work by preventing cancer cells from reproducing, altering the chemical structure of the cells' DNA
Indications: used to treat various types of cancer, including recurrent ovarian cancer, brain tumors, lymphomas, leukemias, breast cancer, and bladder cancer
Adverse effects: dose-limiting adverse effects, nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, alopecia, nephrotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, ototoxicity, and extravasation

Hormonal Drugs

Used to treat a variety of neoplasms in men and women
Hormonal therapy used to oppose effects of hormones, block the body's sex hormone receptors, and used as adjuvant and palliative therapy
Examples: antiandrogens (e.g., bicalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide), antineoplastic hormone (e.g., estramustine)

Nursing Implications

Assess baseline blood counts before administering antineoplastic drugs
Follow specific administration guidelines for each antineoplastic drug
Monitor for expected effects, including bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomatitis
Monitor for complications, including anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and oncologic emergencies
Keep epinephrine, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs on hand for anaphylactic reactions
Monitor closely for complications associated with bone marrow suppression

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Description

Distinguish between cell cycle-nonspecific (CCNS) and cell cycle-specific (CCS) antineoplastic drugs, including their characteristics and examples. This quiz covers the basics of pharmacology and cancer treatment.

Pharmacology: CCNS vs CCS Antineoplastic Drugs