What precautions should a nurse take when administering chemotherapy agents?

When administering chemotherapy agents, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial to ensure the safety of both the healthcare provider and the patient. Chemotherapy medications are often cytotoxic, meaning they can damage healthy cells in addition to cancer cells. Therefore, healthcare providers should use PPE such as gloves, gowns, and eye protection to minimize exposure to these hazardous substances during preparation, administration, and disposal.

This precaution helps prevent accidental spills or splashes that could cause harm to the nurse or others in the vicinity. It also aligns with protocols for handling hazardous drugs, which emphasize the importance of protecting healthcare workers from potentially harmful agents.

Options that suggest using only oral medications, lack of monitoring during administration, or delaying based on patient readiness do not align with established best practices in chemotherapy administration. Intravenous or other routes of chemotherapy may be necessary depending on the specific medication and treatment plan, and patient readiness should not dictate the timing of potentially life-saving treatments. Monitoring is essential to observe for adverse reactions and ensure the patient's safety during the administration of these potent drugs.