Week 2 Discussion: Safety Precautions with Chemotherapeutics
Discuss safety precautions you would include when teaching patients about chemotherapeutic
drugs.
Hello class,
Many chemotherapeutic drugs have a low therapeutic index because of a small window between
what is therapeutic and what is toxic (Collins, Lilley, Snyder, 2019). There has been a significant
increase in the availability and use of oral chemotherapeutic agents. The guidelines around safe
handling chemotherapeutic agents are still evolving today (Goodin & et al., 2011). Oral
chemotherapy associates with ease of administration and have the same exposure risks to
everyone. Accidental exposure to oral chemotherapeutic agents can occur at various stages such
as administration, disposal, handling, storage transport, unpacking, etc.
According to the American Cancer Society (2020), oral chemo taken by mouth and swallow is
usually taken at home. It is important to teach your patients' safety precautions when it comes to
chemotherapeutic drugs. Safety precautions with chemotherapeutic drugs vary depending on
how you receive the drugs. It is important to flush the toilet twice every time they are used and
put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing. Always wash your hands with warm water
and soap, and dry your hands with paper towels, and dispose of them. If the patient vomits into
the toilet, clean of all splashes and flush twice. If the patient vomits into a bucket or basin,
carefully empty it into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash the bucket
with hot and soapy water before rinsing it. Empty the wash and rinse water into the toilet before
flushing it. Caregivers should wear at least two pairs of disposable gloves then they are touching
the patients' body fluids. They should always wash their hands with warm water and soap even if
they had gloves on. If the caregiver comes into contact with the patient's body fluids, they should
wash the area with very warm water and soap. It is important that patients use protection when
having sexual intercourse and know to avoid getting pregnant while they are having
chemotherapy. The drugs may cause harm to the baby. Do not break, crush, or chew chemo pills.
References:
Chemotherapy safety. (2020). American Cancer Society | Information and Resources about for
Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-
side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-safety.html
Goodin, S., Griffith, N., Chen, B., Chuk, K., Daouphars, M., Doreau, C., Rinku, Schwartz, R.,
Tamés, M., Terkola, R., Vadnais, B., Wright, D., and Meier, K. (2011). Safe Handling of Oral
Chemotherapeutic Agents in Clinical Practice: Recommendations From an International
Pharmacy Panel. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2010.000068
Souter, S., Lilley, L. L., Collins, S. R., Snyder, J. S., & Lilley, L. L. (2020). Study guide for
pharmacology and the nursing process (9th ed.). Mosby.
This study source was downloaded by 100000801755870 from CourseHero.com on 03-17-2022 05:09:06 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/77346472/Week-2-Discussion-Safety-Precautions-With-Chemotherapeuticsdocx/
Discuss safety precautions you would include when teaching patients about chemotherapeutic
drugs.
Hello class,
Many chemotherapeutic drugs have a low therapeutic index because of a small window between
what is therapeutic and what is toxic (Collins, Lilley, Snyder, 2019). There has been a significant
increase in the availability and use of oral chemotherapeutic agents. The guidelines around safe
handling chemotherapeutic agents are still evolving today (Goodin & et al., 2011). Oral
chemotherapy associates with ease of administration and have the same exposure risks to
everyone. Accidental exposure to oral chemotherapeutic agents can occur at various stages such
as administration, disposal, handling, storage transport, unpacking, etc.
According to the American Cancer Society (2020), oral chemo taken by mouth and swallow is
usually taken at home. It is important to teach your patients' safety precautions when it comes to
chemotherapeutic drugs. Safety precautions with chemotherapeutic drugs vary depending on
how you receive the drugs. It is important to flush the toilet twice every time they are used and
put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing. Always wash your hands with warm water
and soap, and dry your hands with paper towels, and dispose of them. If the patient vomits into
the toilet, clean of all splashes and flush twice. If the patient vomits into a bucket or basin,
carefully empty it into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash the bucket
with hot and soapy water before rinsing it. Empty the wash and rinse water into the toilet before
flushing it. Caregivers should wear at least two pairs of disposable gloves then they are touching
the patients' body fluids. They should always wash their hands with warm water and soap even if
they had gloves on. If the caregiver comes into contact with the patient's body fluids, they should
wash the area with very warm water and soap. It is important that patients use protection when
having sexual intercourse and know to avoid getting pregnant while they are having
chemotherapy. The drugs may cause harm to the baby. Do not break, crush, or chew chemo pills.
References:
Chemotherapy safety. (2020). American Cancer Society | Information and Resources about for
Cancer: Breast, Colon, Lung, Prostate, Skin. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-
side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-safety.html
Goodin, S., Griffith, N., Chen, B., Chuk, K., Daouphars, M., Doreau, C., Rinku, Schwartz, R.,
Tamés, M., Terkola, R., Vadnais, B., Wright, D., and Meier, K. (2011). Safe Handling of Oral
Chemotherapeutic Agents in Clinical Practice: Recommendations From an International
Pharmacy Panel. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2010.000068
Souter, S., Lilley, L. L., Collins, S. R., Snyder, J. S., & Lilley, L. L. (2020). Study guide for
pharmacology and the nursing process (9th ed.). Mosby.
This study source was downloaded by 100000801755870 from CourseHero.com on 03-17-2022 05:09:06 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/77346472/Week-2-Discussion-Safety-Precautions-With-Chemotherapeuticsdocx/
