Help me reason through a question.

I would lean toward B. I remember reading that there are drugs that you can inject in the skin to slow down or halt the damage that the chemo is causing by extravasation. I don't know the specifics off the top of my head, I would have to look it up in my book. But of all the options, B is the one that really focuses on preventing harm to the patient. Yes, gloves should always be used, but that focuses more on the nurse not the client. You should know the mechanisms of action of the drug you are giving, but I don't know if that is the most important thing. And not all chemo drugs cause nausea, so an antiemtic isn't always required. I would go with B. But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

This is a Pharm question, and no antidote was mentioned in regards to chemotherapy extravasation. But your response led me to look in my med/surg book about general IV therapy, and it does say "have an antidote ready". This instructor does give us questions that lead us to look beyond what we can find typed out neatly in our textbook, so you may be correct with B. And of course, thanks for pointing it out, SAFETY FIRST!

I look forward to other responses.

Here's the question.

1.When administering a known vesicant chemotherapeutic agent, it is most important for the nurse to know:

a.If the client has been premedicated with an antiemetic.

b.If an antidote is available should extravasation occur.

c.The mechanism of action of the drug.

d.Whether gloves are needed during administration.

A. This answer wouldn't be right because it doesn't have anything to do with the key word "vesicant".

B. This isn't right. There isn't a specific antidote for extravasation of vesicants, just treatment of the injury.

C. Would the mechanism of action change the administration for different vesicants?

D. This isn't right, shouldn't gloves always be used?

So I'm leaning towards C, because it seems like the best answer to me, but I'd love some feedback.

Thanks!

The correct answer is B. Anytime you are administering a known vesicant, you need to have the antidote on hand in case of extravasation as it needs to be given in a timely manner so as to prevent or at least leasson harm to the patient. You should always use gloves as well as always knowing the mechanism of action of any drug but again, the BEST answer is B.

thanks guys!!! i learned something new in questions like this ^^.....you should always think about whats good for your patient...thanks!!!