As a pharmacist, you are responsible for ensuring that Stefani receives the proper medication and dosage ordered by the oncologist. You are also responsible for reviewing any adverse interactions Stefani might have with her medications. Using her EHR and Internet research, answer the questions and be prepared to discuss the responses with the rest of Stefani’s healthcare team.
Review Stefani’s Inpatient EHR: You notice that she has a few allergies. What are her allergies?
Internet Research: Why is this information significant?
Internet Research: There are five types of standard treatment for melanoma – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy and targeted therapy. What is the pharmacist’s role as part of the oncology (cancer) team and in the patient’s cancer treatment?
Internet Research: Based on the mole’s size, her blood work, results of the sentinel node biopsy and PET scan, the oncologist alerts you that Stefani may have advanced stage melanoma. You know the most common melanoma chemotherapy drug is Dacarbazine (DTIC). List the drug’s adverse reactions.