Upon successful completion of the course, post-test and evaluation, registered nurses will receive an ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider Card. This card validates the participant has the theoretical foundation needed to administer cytotoxic and biotherapeutic agents. The card is valid for two years.

Target Audience:

Participants must be licensed registered nurses who have been employed as such for a minimum of six months. This course content is appropriate for nurses who are new to chemotherapy administration, as well as for those who want a comprehensive review.

Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:
A. Identify various therapeutic modalities used to treat cancer with emphasis on chemotherapy and biotherapy.
B. Describe the investigational process all drugs undergo to gain approval for use.
C. Review ethical and legal issues related to cancer therapy.
D. Identify factors affecting response to cancer therapy.
E. Identify selected commonly used agents, their mechanisms of action, and any unique administration issues.
F. Discuss safety precautions necessary when handling cytotoxic agents.
G. Review chemotherapy dose calculations and practice examples.
H. Identify nursing procedures and interventions for administering cytotoxic and biologic agents.
I. Discuss two immediate complications of cancer therapy, extravasation and hypersensitivity, and the nursing measures required to prevent and/or reduce these complications.
J. Identify selected systematic side effects of cytotoxic and biotherapeutic agents and the nursing interventions required to manage these
side effects.
K. Review specific patient and family education that may prevent and/or reduce the impact of systemic side effects.

Course Outline

1. Introduction

A. Definition of cancer
B. Treatment modalities
C. Drug development process/clinical trial process
D. Ethical and legal issues

2. Goals of Cancer therapy and measuring response

3. Principles of chemotherapy

4. Principles of biotherapy

5. Principles of Targeted Therapy

6. Safe practice considerations

7. Administration

A. Dose determination
B. Pre-treatment care
C. Routes of administration
D. Immediate complications of cytotoxic therapy

8. Care of the patient receiving chemotherapy/biotherapy

9. Side effects of cancer therapy

A. Myelosuppression
B. GI and mucosal side effects
C. Cutaneous Toxicity
D. Alopecia
E. Cardiovascular toxicity
F. Pulmonary toxicity
G. Hemorrhagic cystitis
H. Hepatotoxicity
I. Nephrotoxicity
J. Neurotoxicity
K. Cognitive changes
L. Ocular Toxicity
M. Pancreatitis
N. Fatigue
O. Alterations in Sexual and Reproductive function
P. Secondary Malignancies

10. Survivorship Care Plan

11. Case Studies (optional)

12. Exam and Course Evaluation

Continuing Nursing Education Credit:
• ONS will award 13.5 contact hours to nurses who attend this program in its entirety.
• ONS is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
• ONS is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, Provider No. 2850.

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
Cancellations are entitled to a full refund minus a $105 administration fee. Cancellations must be received prior to the course date or
NO REFUND will be issued. Cancellations are not allowed if group or multiple course discounts were taken. Transfers are acceptable. If a program is canceled for any reason, full refunds will be given or a transfer offered without penalty.

Additional Information:
The ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course is NOT a certification course, and is not intended to measure competency. Individual institutions are responsible for determining their own requirements for assessing clinical competency.

For additional information, please contact:
Nursing Unlimited, Inc.
(800) 852-4126

Course Fee:
$295
The course fee includes: all course materials, copy of the Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendation for Practice, 3rd Ed., and Continuing Nursing Education Credits.

Faculty:
This course is taught by ONS Trainer May Anne Milone, ARNP-BC, AOCN, PhD

Register online