In: Nursing
A patient with a history of a central nervous system tumor presents with intermittent cough,dyspnea, and fatigue. The patient denies hemoptysis. The most likely cause of this these symptom is:
a. camustine
b. streptozocin
c. irinotecan
d. topotecan
Answer:
Option d - Topotecan
a. Carmustine: Common side effects of Carmustine include nausea, vomiting, headache, redness in the eye. Side effects requiring immediate medical help include signs of kidney or liver problems, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, anemia, vision changes, discoloration of the skin or eyes, dark urine.
b. Streptozocin: Common side effects include anxiety, headache, blood in urine, fever or chills. Serious side effects include painful urination, blood in stools or urine, unusual bleeding, hoarseness.
c. Irinotecan: Common side effects include anemia, diarrhea, fever, water retention. Side effects requiring immediate medical help include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, dehydration, irregular heartbeat, nose bleed, hemoptysis (coughing up blood).
d. Topotecan: Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, temporary hair loss. Side effects requiring immediate medical help include weakness or fatigue, cough, dyspnea, bleeding gums, swollen glands, tightness in the chest.
Since the patient was presented with dyspnea, fatigue and intermittent cough without hemoptysis, it is most likely due to the use of Topotecan.