Question

a nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment. which of the following adverse effects of this medication should the nurse include in the teaching?

hot flashes
urinary retention
constipation
bradycardia

Explanation:

Analyze the mechanism of tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) used primarily for the treatment and prevention of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. It acts as an estrogen antagonist in breast tissue, blocking estrogen from binding to receptors and stimulating tumor growth.

Identify estrogen-blocking adverse effects

Because tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors, it induces a state similar to menopause in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The most common adverse effects associated with this anti-estrogenic action are vasomotor symptoms, specifically hot flashes, which affect a majority of patients taking the medication.

Evaluate the other options

• Urinary retention: This is not a typical adverse effect of tamoxifen; it is more commonly associated with anticholinergic medications.
• Constipation: While gastrointestinal upset can occur, constipation is not a primary, characteristic adverse effect of tamoxifen.
• Bradycardia: Tamoxifen does not significantly affect heart rate or cause bradycardia.

Formulate patient teaching plan

The nurse should instruct the client that hot flashes are a very common side effect of tamoxifen therapy. Managing these vasomotor symptoms is a key component of supportive care and patient education for individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment with SERMs.

Answer:

• Hot flashes (Correct answer)
• Urinary retention
• Constipation
• Bradycardia