Question

A patient asks why the treatment plan includes two chemoterapy medications. The nurse replies that combination therapy:

a)results in higher tumor cell kill
b)inhibits cell growth by targeting pathways
c)promotes apoptosis by targeting lymph nodes
d)reduces the risk of side effects

Answer 1

Combination chemotherapy involves the use of two or more chemotherapy drugs given at the same time. It results in higher tumor cell kill, inhibits cell growth by targeting pathways, and reduces the risk of side effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

Combination chemotherapy involves the use of two or more chemotherapy drugs given at the same time to treat cancer. This approach has several benefits:

1. Results in higher tumor cell kill: When multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action are used together, they can target cancer cells from different angles, increasing the chances of killing a larger number of tumor cells.
2. Inhibits cell growth by targeting pathways: Combination therapy can target multiple pathways involved in cancer cell growth, preventing them from dividing and spreading.
3. Reduces the risk of side effects: By using lower doses of each individual drug, combination therapy can minimize the toxic effects on healthy cells, reducing the risk of side effects.