The nurse is explaining the mechanisms of action for alkylating agents and states that alkylating agents kill cancer cells by:

Question

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. altering the shape of the DNA double helix.
2. preventing the DNA from duplicating during cell division.
3. becoming incorporated into the DNA of cancer cells.
4. interfering with DNA replication and function.
5. an unknown mechanism of action.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2
Rationale 1: Alkylating agents alter the shape of the DNA double helix.
Rationale 2: Alkylating agents prevent the DNA from duplicating during cell division.
Rationale 3: This is the mechanism of action for antimetabolites.
Rationale 4: This is the mechanism of action for antimetabolites.
Rationale 5: The mechanism of hormone antineoplastic activity is largely unknown.
Global Rationale: Alkylating agents change the shape of the deoxyribonucleic acid double helix and prevent cancer cells from dividing normally. Antimetabolites become incorporated into the DNA interfering with replication and function. The mechanism of action of alkylating agents is known.