Question

a nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving chemotherapy and has a new prescription for ondansetron. which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (select all that apply.) infuse the medication 30 min prior to chemotherapy. administer the medication when the client reports nausea infuse the medication slowly over 15 min. administer the medication immediately following chemotherapy repeat the dose 4 hr after chemotherapy.

Explanation:

Ondansetron is an antiemetic used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

1. Administering it 30 minutes before chemo proactively prevents CINV, which is a standard practice.
2. Infusing it slowly over 15 minutes reduces the risk of adverse effects like hypotension or arrhythmias.
3. A repeat dose 4 hours after chemo is often prescribed to maintain antiemetic coverage during the peak emetic phase of some chemotherapies.
4. Giving it only when nausea is reported is reactive, not preventive, which is not optimal for CINV management. Giving it immediately after chemo misses the window to pre-emptively block emetic triggers.

Answer:

• Infuse the medication 30 min prior to chemotherapy.
• Infuse the medication slowly over 15 min.
• Repeat the dose 4 hr after chemotherapy.