Practice Question
A patient is taking chemotherapy with a drug that has a high potential for causing nausea and vomiting. The nurse is preparing to administer an antiemetic drug. Which class of antiemetic drugs is most commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Serotonin blockers, such as ondansetron (Zofran)
Rationale:
🎯 Serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists are the most commonly used and most effective antiemetics for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
🎯 Chemotherapy stimulates serotonin release from enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract
🎯 Released serotonin activates 5-HT3 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and the vomiting center
🎯 Ondansetron blocks 5-HT3 receptors, interrupting the emetic signaling pathway
🎯 Due to high efficacy and a favorable safety profile, serotonin blockers are considered first-line therapy for highly emetogenic chemotherapy
❌ Incorrect Options
❌ Prokinetic drugs, such as metoclopramide (Reglan)
❌ Prokinetic agents increase gastric motility and promote gastric emptying
❌ They are less effective than serotonin blockers for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting
❌ Neuroleptic drugs, such as promethazine (Phenergan)
❌ Neuroleptics block dopamine receptors in the CTZ
❌ They may reduce nausea but are not first-line for CINV
❌Anticholinergic drugs, such as scopolamine
❌ Anticholinergics are primarily used for motion sickness and vestibular disorders
❌ They do not block serotonin-mediated emetic pathways
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This question is from ☑️ Pharmacology Exam-Miami Regional University which contains 84 questions.
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From Exam
☑️ Pharmacology Exam-Miami Regional University
84 Questions
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- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: General Exams
- Domain: 🚑Pharmacology
- Answer Choices: 4