A nurse is caring for a client who has sickle cell anemia and is taking hydroxyurea

42. A nurse is caring for a client who has sickle cell anemiaand is taking hydroxyurea. Which of the following findingsshould the nurse report to the provider? Select all that apply.a)Hemoglobin 7.0 g/dLb)Creatinine 1 mg/dLc)RBC 4.7 million/mm^3d)Platelets 75,000/mm^3e)Potassium 5.2 mEq/LRationale:Hemoglobin 7.0/dLàA hemoglobin level of 7.0 g/dL indicates hydroxyurea toxicity. This hemoglobin level isbelow the expected reference range of 14 to 19 g/dL for a male client and 12 to 16 g/dL for a female client.Therefore, the nurse should report this finding to the provider.Platelets 75,000/mm^3àA platelet level of 75,000/mm^3 indicates hydroxyurea toxicity. This platelet level isbelow the expected reference range of 150,000 to 400,000/mm^3. Therefore, the nurse should report thisfinding to the provider.Potassium 5.2 mEq/L is correctàA potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L indicates tumor lysis syndrome. Thispotassium level is above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. Therefore, the nurse should reportthis finding to the provider.

Hydrea Product Description


Drug Uses

Hydrea is an oral cytotoxic medicine, providing antimetabolite and antineoplastic effects. Hydrea is used for continuous, intermittent, or concomitant treatment of certain types of neoplastic diseases, including:

cancer of the cervix

malignant melanoma

carcinoma of the neck and head

chronic and resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

carcinoma of the ovary (including metastatic, inoperable and recurrent)

The maximum single dose of Hydrea is 80 mg. Hydrea tablets can be administered for cancer monotherapy or in combination with other cytotoxic agents and/or together with radiotherapy (RTx).


Missed Dose

If you’ve missed a dose of Hydrea, use it as soon as you think about it, but only in case it is not the time for your next prescribed dose. Do not use two doses of this antineoplastic agent on the same day. If you happened to remember about the missed Hydrea dose on the next day, skip the missed dose.


More Information

The patients with neoplastic diseases in the head, neck or cervix are prescribed with Hydrea for potentiation of the antineoplastic effects of RTx. The application of Hydrea pills should be started at least 1 week before RTx, and continued after RTx, if necessary.


Storage
Hydrea capsules are recommended to be stored at room temperature not above 25°C, however, a short-term storage is permitted up to 30°C. Keep this antineoplastic agent in an original container to protect the capsules from excessive moisture and heat.

Hydrea Safety Information


Warnings

Pregnant women should take extra caution, while using Hydrea, as this drug may inflict damage to the fetal health. Also, this antineoplastic drug is not recommended for the patients with venereal diseases, disorders of liver, nervous system or pancreas.


Disclaimer
The information about chronic myeloid leukaemia and cancer of the cervix, contained in review of Hydrea, is intended for informational purposes only, so it is not meant to substitute for the consultation, treatment or advice of the health care specialist. In no event, the online pharmacy is responsible for any kind of damage or injury, arising from the incorrect use of the information about antineoplastic agent Hydrea.

Hydrea Side Effects


If Hydrea is used in combination with a radiation therapy, certain myelotoxic effects (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, macrocytosis, anaemia), or gastrointestinal distress (diarrhoea, vomiting, stomatitis, constipation, nausea) can be observed. High doses of Hydrea may cause drowsiness.

Less common undesirable effects of Hydrea include skin ulceration, hyperpigmentation, bleeding, dizziness, anorexia, fever, rash, hallucinations, alopecia, headache, melanonychia, asthenia, convulsions or disorientation. Usually, Hydrea undesirable effects disappear within two weeks after the discontinuation of the oral antineoplastic therapy.