Final answer:
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) arises from chemotherapy treatment's effect on rapidly dividing cells, leading to side effects like nausea. Zofran is often used to prevent or reduce CINV. Risk factors for CINV include the chemotherapy regimen, dose, rate of administration, and patient-specific factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) is a significant adverse effect of cancer treatment that affects a majority of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which is why they are effective against cancer; however, this mechanism also affects healthy cells in the body, leading to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and the potential induction of another cancer. Medications like Zofran, which contains ondansetron, are used to prevent or reduce the severity of these symptoms.
Factors contributing to the risk and severity of CINV include the specific chemotherapy regimen used, the dose, the rate of drug administration, and patient-specific factors such as age, gender, and previous experience with nausea and vomiting. The American Cancer Society and the NIH's MedlinePlus provide further details and guidelines for managing and mitigating the risks associated with CINV.