Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 70%
Practice
A nurse is preparing to administer filgrastim to a client undergoing chemotherapy. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
In the context of oncology, the primary purpose of administering filgrastim to a client undergoing chemotherapy is to increase white blood cell production. Chemotherapy often leads to a decrease in white blood cell count, which can leave the patient vulnerable to infections due to compromised immune function. Filgrastim, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, to help prevent infections and maintain immune function during chemotherapy.
Option A, increasing white blood cell production, is the correct answer because it directly addresses the main goal of using filgrastim in this scenario.
Options B, C, and D are incorrect because:
B) Reducing the risk of infection is a secondary outcome of increasing white blood cell production with filgrastim, not the primary purpose.
C) Enhancing red blood cell production is not the function of filgrastim; it primarily targets white blood cell production.
D) Controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is typically managed with antiemetic medications and is not the primary purpose of administering filgrastim.
Understanding the rationale behind using filgrastim in chemotherapy patients is crucial for nurses to provide safe and effective care, ensuring optimal outcomes for their oncology patients. By grasping the mechanism of action and primary purpose of medications, nurses can contribute significantly to the holistic care of patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Option A, increasing white blood cell production, is the correct answer because it directly addresses the main goal of using filgrastim in this scenario.
Options B, C, and D are incorrect because:
B) Reducing the risk of infection is a secondary outcome of increasing white blood cell production with filgrastim, not the primary purpose.
C) Enhancing red blood cell production is not the function of filgrastim; it primarily targets white blood cell production.
D) Controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is typically managed with antiemetic medications and is not the primary purpose of administering filgrastim.
Understanding the rationale behind using filgrastim in chemotherapy patients is crucial for nurses to provide safe and effective care, ensuring optimal outcomes for their oncology patients. By grasping the mechanism of action and primary purpose of medications, nurses can contribute significantly to the holistic care of patients undergoing chemotherapy.