A client asks the health care worker why he is taking allopurinol. The client states, "I don't have gout. My grandpa took this for his gout." The best response would be:

Question

A) "We just don't want you to hurt in your toes if you don't have to."
B) "I will check with the doctor. Maybe it is a mistake."
C) "When the chemo kills the leukemia cells, this causes your uric acid levels to rise. Allopurinol will help lower uric acid levels."
D) "Everyone who is on chemotherapy will develop gout. We give it prophylactically to prevent you for getting the severe pain associated with gout."

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Hyperuricemia occurs as the result of increased proliferation or increased breakdown of purine nucleotides (i.e., one of the components of nucleic acids) secondary to leukemic cell death that results from chemotherapy. It may increase before and during treatment. Prophylactic therapy with allopurinol, a drug that inhibits uric acid synthesis, is routinely administered to prevent renal complications secondary to uric acid crystallization in the urine filtrate.