A pediatric client diagnosed with cancer is to receive 2 months of chemotherapy that is separated by a 6-week period. The mother asks why the child cannot receive the medication for 2 months straight. Which rationale should the nurse include when responding to the client's mother?

Question

1. Prevention of nausea and vomiting from the drugs
2. Schedule requirement of the infusion center
3. Decrease incidence of heart failure
4. Allows normal cells to repair themselves while the cancer cells die

Answer 1

4
Explanation:
1. The 6-week break will not decrease the side effects of nausea and vomiting.
2. Necessary treatment should never be delayed for the convenience of the medical personnel.
3. The 6-week break is not to decrease the incidence of heart failure, as this is not an adverse effect to chemotherapy.
4. Cancer cells have lost the ability to repair themselves, so medications allow the normal cells to repair while the cancer cells die.