A nurse preparing a client to receive chemotherapy for ovarian cancer should plan which action?

A nurse preparing a client to receive chemotherapy for ovarian cancer should plan which action?

• A. Have the client swish with commercial mouthwash before therapy
• B. Administer an antiemetic prior to the procedure
• C. Tell the client to expect dark stools following chemotherapy
• D. Have the client floss 4x daily

Answer: (B)

Preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is essential because it is one of the most common and distressing side effects of treatment. Giving an antiemetic before chemotherapy helps stop nausea and vomiting before it starts, which is more effective than trying to treat symptoms after they appear. In ovarian cancer, where regimens are highly emetogenic, prophylactic antiemetics—often a combination that may include a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, dexamethasone, and sometimes an NK1 receptor antagonist—significantly reduce the incidence and severity of CINV, supporting better hydration, nutrition, and ability to continue planned therapy. Other planned actions don’t address this primary, high-impact side effect. Mouthwash isn’t the preventive focus for CINV, dark stools aren’t an expected pre-chemo plan, and while good oral hygiene is important, flossing four times daily isn’t specifically needed to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is essential because it is one of the most common and distressing side effects of treatment. Giving an antiemetic before chemotherapy helps stop nausea and vomiting before it starts, which is more effective than trying to treat symptoms after they appear. In ovarian cancer, where regimens are highly emetogenic, prophylactic antiemetics—often a combination that may include a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, dexamethasone, and sometimes an NK1 receptor antagonist—significantly reduce the incidence and severity of CINV, supporting better hydration, nutrition, and ability to continue planned therapy.

Other planned actions don’t address this primary, high-impact side effect. Mouthwash isn’t the preventive focus for CINV, dark stools aren’t an expected pre-chemo plan, and while good oral hygiene is important, flossing four times daily isn’t specifically needed to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea.