Which of the following chemotherapy drug is administered via intravenous route?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2022

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2022

Explanation

Vincristine is a chemotherapy agent that is administered strictly via the intravenous (IV) route.
It is a potent vesicant, meaning it can cause severe tissue necrosis if it leaks outside the vein.
A critical safety warning for Vincristine is that it is fatal if administered by any other route, especially intrathecally (into the spine).
To prevent fatal errors, Vincristine is often prepared in a small IV bag (minibag) and labeled prominently with warnings like "For Intravenous Use Only.".

Option B: Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that is available in both intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) formulations.
Option C: Bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic that can be administered via multiple parenteral routes, including intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC).
Option D: A radioisotope is not a single drug but a class of substances used for internal radiation therapy or diagnostics. Their administration routes vary widely (e.g., oral, IV, intracavitary) and they are not classified as traditional chemotherapy drugs.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Routes of Administration for Chemotherapy Agents helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A nurse's primary responsibility during chemotherapy administration is patient safety. For Vincristine, this means a 'triple check' of the drug, dose, and especially the route.
The 'Five Rights' of medication administration are paramount, but with vesicants like Vincristine, the 'Right Route' has life-or-death implications. Always trace the IV line from the bag to the patient's vein before starting the infusion.
Nurses must be competent in managing extravasation. This includes knowing the signs, stopping the infusion immediately, and knowing the specific antidote and procedure for Vincristine (e.g., application of warm compresses and administration of hyaluronidase).

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the core concept: identifying a chemotherapy drug administered intravenously.
Analyze the options. Recognize that many chemotherapy drugs can be given IV, so the question is likely asking for a drug where the IV route is particularly critical or exclusive.
Recall or look up the standard administration routes for each drug. Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, and Bleomycin are common agents.
Eliminate options with multiple common administration routes. Cyclophosphamide has an oral form. Bleomycin can be given IM or SC.
Identify the unique characteristic of Vincristine. Its status as a potent vesicant and the absolute contraindication of intrathecal administration make the IV route a critical safety point.
Conclude that Vincristine is the best answer because of the high-stakes nature of its IV-only administration protocol.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QGw4JwBB5R7On-1JgWdelL

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 85-87

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 4-6

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 175-212