A patient diagnosed with a malignancy is receiving an antimetabolite as part of his or her medication therapy. What would the nurse be sure to teach this patient about his or her antimetabolite medication? (Select all that apply.)

Question

A) Report all other drugs and alternative therapies he or she is taking.
B) Use safety measures due to possible dizziness, headache, and drowsiness.
C) Cover the head at extremes of temperature.
D) Plan for appropriate exercise regimens.
E) Avoid being alone as much as possible.

Answer 1

A, B, C
Feedback:
Provide the following patient teaching: Follow the appropriate dosage regimen, including dates to return for further doses. Patients need to be reminded to report all other drugs and alternative therapies that they might be using; maintain nutrition if GI effects are severe; cover the head at extremes of temperature if alopecia is anticipated; plan for appropriate rest periods because fatigue and weakness are common adverse effects of the drugs; avoid infection including avoiding crowded places, sick people, and working in soil; and use safety measures such as not driving or using dangerous equipment due to possible dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. The nurse would not tell the patient to plan for appropriate exercise regimens because patients are more likely to need encouragement to rest; there is no reason he cannot be alone.