CRNI - Chemo Drugs Practice Test Quiz Exam with Actual
Questions & Answers 2023/2024
Methotrexate correct answers Uses: Lymphocytic leukemia, lymphomas, sarcomas
- Practice: High dose MTX (over 200 mg/m2) causes bone marrow toxicity, use leucovorin "rescue" 12-24
hours after MTX infusion;
potential for renal toxicity, push fluids; may cause photosensitivity
- Side Effects: Leukopenia or Thrombocytopenia, Stomatitis (with increase doses), nephrotoxicity
Cytarabine (Cytosar-U) correct answers Uses: Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; leukemia (acute,
non-lymphocytic/acute, lymphocytic/acute, myelogenous and chronic myelocytic)
- Practice: May be given IV or intrathecal; if given in conjunction with radiation the skin may peel
- Side Effects: Flu like symptoms, conjunctivitis, alopecia, high fever
Fluorouracil (5 FU) correct answers - Uses: Breast, ovary, liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract
- Practice: May causephotosensitivity
- Side Effects: Hyperpigmentation of veins and nails, mucositis, diarrhea (may be dose limiting),
paresthesia, and leukopenia or thrombocytopenia
Gemcitabine (Gemzar) correct answers Uses: Pancreatic, lung, lymph (non-small cell) and breast
- Practice: Hypersensitivity may occur, administer dose within one hour
- Side Effects: Pancytopenia (may be dose limiting), arthralgia
Vincristine (Oncovin): vesicant correct answers Uses: Acute lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease,
lymphoma, sarcoma
- Practice: May cause severe constipation or ileus, central access recommended, Hylenex® and heat
may be the antidote for extravasation
- Side Effects: Alopecia, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, neurotoxic
Vinblastine (Velban): vesicant correct answers Uses: Lymphomas (kidney/bladder/testicular),
histiocytosis
- Practice: May cause severe constipation (monitor bowel movements), Hylenex and heat may be
antidote for extravasations
- Side Effects: Bone marrow suppression, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, neurotoxic
Etoposide (VP16) correct answers Uses: Testicular, ovarian, small cell lung, acute lymphocytic leukemia
- Practice: Extreme hypotension may occur with rapid administration
- Side Effects: Bone marrow suppression, mild alopecia
, Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride (Mustargen) correct answers Uses: Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma,
bronchogenic carcinoma
- Practice: To be given I.V. push within 15 minutes of preparation, sodium thiosulfate is usual antidote for
extravasation, followed by ice application, drug effects the reproductive ability, pre-medicate with
antiemetic agents (Zofran, Kytril, etc.)
- Side Effects: Bone marrow suppression (may be dose limiting), nausea and vomiting (often severe and
begins 1-hour after dose)
Dacarbazine (DTIC, DIC) correct answers Uses: Melanoma, Hodgkin's Disease, soft-tissue sarcomas,
neuroblastoma
- Practice: Agent is a vesicant by some sources, drug color change of pale yellow to pink indicates
decomposition of the drug,
photosensitivity, skin reactions of pruritus and erythema
- Side Effects: Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia (may be dose limiting; nadir 2 to 4 weeks after
treatment), flu-like symptoms (occurs 7 days after treatment lasting 1 to 3 weeks)
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) correct answers Uses: Acute Leukemia, lung, Hodgkin's Disease, breast
- Practice: Mesna is given to protect the bladder lining, metallic taste may be noted during injection, pre
and post hydration is infused to aid excretion of drug, administer prior to 3 p.m.
- Side Effects: Nausea and vomiting, bone marrow suppression possible, hemorrhagic cystitis (with
increased doses), alopecia, nephrotoxic
Ifosfamide (Ifex) correct answers Uses: Relapsed testicular,lung, soft tissue sarcoma,
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Practice: Mesna is given to protect bladder lining, often given in combination with
other chemo agents
- Side Effects: Myelosuppression is major dose limiting side effect; nadir is 7 to 10 days post
dose, hemorrhagic cystitis is possible, nausea, vomiting, alopecia
Thiotepa (Thioplex) correct answers Uses: Breast, ovaries, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease
- Practice: Pain at infusion site may occur, rash and hives may occur, pre-medicate with antiemetic agents
(Zofran, Kytril, etc.)
- Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, may cause fertility issues in both sexes, bone marrow suppression
Cisplatin (Platinol): vesicant if concentrated correct answers Uses: Testicular, ovarian, bladder, prostate,
sarcomas
- Practice: Pre-assess kidney function with BUN and creatinine and throughout therapy, Pre and post
hydration given, use only stainless steel needles (NO aluminum), concomitant use of
nephrotoxic drugs like aminoglycosides or amphotericin-B should be taken with caution, ototoxicity may
occur and can be cumulative (obtain baseline audiogram), mannitol may be given to increase kidney
function, Ethyol may be given to reduce renal toxicity
