Final answer:
The statement indicating an understanding of how to minimize side effects of cyclophosphamide is “I should drink plenty of fluids while taking this drug.” This helps prevent hemorrhagic cystitis by flushing the bladder and mitigating one of the medication's potential side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question on how to minimize side effects while taking oral cyclophosphamide for treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is option b: “I should drink plenty of fluids while taking this drug.” Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer. Chemotherapy drugs like cyclophosphamide interfere with the cell division of rapidly dividing cells, which can cause damage to the healthy cells, resulting in side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and potential bone marrow suppression.
Among the side effects of cyclophosphamide, hemorrhagic cystitis is a concern where the drug can irritate the bladder. To prevent this, patients are advised to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, which helps to flush out the bladder and minimize this risk. Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy, but it cannot be prevented by shampooing less often. Bone marrow suppression is a possible side effect of many chemotherapy drugs, and patients should be monitoring for this, contrary to the assertion in option a. These factors underline the importance of maintaining adequate fluid intake during cancer chemotherapy treatment with cyclophosphamide.