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The alkylating chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide is prescribed for a school-aged child with cancer. what is the most important nursing assessment while the child is receiving this medication?

User SiddAjmera
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2 Answers

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Daily intake and output

User Brendon
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Answer with Explanation:

A medication such as phosphamide can affect many components of the blood. For example, cyclophosphamide can cause a decrease in the number of platelets, a condition called thrombocytopenia, for this reason the child could have some bleeding in the gums, nasal bleeding.

This medicine may also cause anemia, which will lead to the child feeling fatigued, dyspnea, among others. If either of these two scenarios becomes a serious situation, the application of blood transfusions may even be necessary.Cyclophosphamide can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, decreased or loss of appetite, diarrhea.

In addition, this medication can generate bladder irritation so it is essential to maintain adequate hydration.Being a drug used in chemotherapy, a side effect would be hair loss, for this situation psychological support is necessary to help the child cope with changes in his appearance.

Finally, this medicine is characterized by being an immunosuppressant, which means that it lowers the defenses, so it is very important that in case of any fever or sign of infection the child consult a doctor.

User Rgtk
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