A nurse is administering chemotherapy to a client with leukemia. Which of the following precautions should the nurse implement to ensure safety?

Choice A reason: Wearing a gown and gloves is essential when handling chemotherapy drugs to prevent exposure to cytotoxic agents. These drugs are hazardous, causing skin irritation or systemic toxicity upon contact or inhalation. Personal protective equipment ensures nurse safety by minimizing direct contact with drugs during preparation, administration, or disposal, adhering to oncology safety protocols. Choice B reason: Administering chemotherapy in a positive pressure room is incorrect. Positive pressure rooms are used for immunocompromised patients to prevent infections, not for chemotherapy administration. Chemotherapy requires a controlled environment, often with negative pressure for preparation, to contain hazardous drug aerosols, ensuring safety for staff and other patients. Choice C reason: Disposing of chemotherapy waste in regular trash bins is unsafe and incorrect. Cytotoxic drugs and contaminated materials must be disposed of in designated hazardous waste containers to prevent environmental contamination and exposure to healthcare workers or the public. Proper disposal follows strict regulatory guidelines to ensure safety and compliance. Choice D reason: Using a regular IV pump for chemotherapy is not always appropriate. Many chemotherapy drugs require specialized pumps for precise delivery rates to prevent toxicity or infusion reactions. Regular pumps may lack the accuracy needed for cytotoxic agents, increasing the risk of dosing errors or complications, making this an unsafe practice.