CEA Nursing Practice Exam

Which agent is most likely to assist in managing side effects of acute myeloid leukemia treatment?

1. Allopurinol (Zyloprim)

2. N-acetylcystiene (NAC)

3. Furosemide (Lasix)

4. Colchicine (Colcrys)

The correct answer is: Allopurinol (Zyloprim)

Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that is commonly used to manage hyperuricemia, particularly in the context of tumor lysis syndrome, which can occur after the initiation of treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). When cancer cells are destroyed quickly during treatment, they release large amounts of uric acid into the bloodstream. This can lead to elevated uric acid levels, which may cause kidney damage and other complications. By inhibiting the production of uric acid, allopurinol helps prevent or reduce these elevated uric acid levels, thus mitigating the risk of kidney injury and other related side effects during AML treatment. Its role in managing the consequences of rapid cell turnover makes it particularly valuable for patients undergoing chemotherapy or other treatments that can lead to such metabolic changes. In this scenario, the other agents mentioned may have various uses, but do not specifically target the complications that arise from AML treatment in the same way that allopurinol does. For example, N-acetylcystiene is primarily a mucolytic agent and antioxidant. Furosemide is a diuretic, which may be beneficial in managing fluid overload but does not address uric acid levels. Colchicine is used primarily for