The most important nursing consideration for clients receiving alkylating agents is
1. monitoring nausea and vomiting.
2. monitoring nutritional intake.
3. monitoring skin integrity.
4. monitoring CBC with differential.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Nausea and vomiting are common during use of many chemotherapy drugs and are not particular to alkylating agents, and this is not the most important nursing consideration.
Rationale 2: Due to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, nutritional intake is decreased in clients taking many kinds of chemotherapeutic drugs. This issue is not particular to alkylating agents and is not the most important nursing consideration.
Rationale 3: Impaired skin integrity is an issue with clients taking many forms of chemotherapy. It is not particular to alkylating agents and is not the most important nursing consideration.
Rationale 4: Blood cells are particularly sensitive to alkylating agents. Bone marrow suppression is the primary dose-limiting toxicity of the drugs in this class. If the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) obtained by reading CBC with differential falls below 500/mm, the risk for infection increases.
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