A client is prescribed a chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of leukemia and asks the nurse why a drug that can also cause cancer is being used to treat cancer. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. "The incidence of carcinogenic effects is really quite small, and you shouldn't be concerned about it."
2. "Since you are receiving such potent drugs, they have to warn of you of every possible side effect."
3. "The risk for causing another cancer is there, but sometimes the benefit of the treatment outweighs the risks."
4. "The carcinogenic effects often do not show up for a few decades, and we want to cure this leukemia now."
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: The incidence of carcinogenic drugs differs among drugs and is not always predictable.
Rationale 2: This response does not answer the client's question.
Rationale 3: The benefits of treatment sometimes do outweigh the risks; this provides an honest answer to the client.
Rationale 4: Although carcinogenic effects often do not show up for 20 or more years, this is not the best explanation.
Global Rationale: The benefits of treatment sometimes do outweigh the risks; this provides an honest answer to the client. The incidence of carcinogenic drugs differs among drugs and is not always predictable. Telling the client that receiving potent drugs warrants a warning does not answer the client's question. Although carcinogenic effects often do not show up for 20 or more years, this is not the best explanation.
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