Question

The student nurse overhears several staff members referring to a client who is receiving chemotherapy as having 'chemo brain.' The student asks the instructor what that means. Which response by the instructor is best?

1) 'That is an awful thing to say and the staff should not call a client by that name.'
2) 'It refers to the client's brain as being irreversibly damaged by the chemotherapy.'
3) 'The client has reduced cognitive function that may last for several years.'
4) 'The client has delirium related to the toxic effects of the chemotherapy.'

Answer 1

The term 'chemo brain' refers to cognitive changes such as memory issues and decreased mental sharpness that can occur as a side effect of chemotherapy. This condition often improves over time after treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When healthcare professionals refer to "chemo brain," they are talking about a common side effect of chemotherapy known as cognitive dysfunction. The best response to the student nurse would be option 3: 'The client has reduced cognitive function that may last for several years.' This condition can be characterized by a noticeable change in mental sharpness, including issues with memory, attention, and the ability to process information. It's important to note that this cognitive impairment is typically temporary and can improve over time once chemotherapy treatment has concluded. 'Chemo brain' is not indicative of irreversible damage or a state of delirium directly caused by chemotherapy toxicity, but rather a diverse range of cognitive changes that can occur as a side effect of the treatment.