NCLEX-PN Exam - Topic 1 Question 5 Discussion

Actual exam question for NCLEX's NCLEX-PN exam

Question #: 5
Topic #: 1

[All NCLEX-PN Questions]

The chemotherapeutic DNA alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards are effective because they:

Across-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.

Bhave few, if any, side effects.

Care used to treat multiple types of cancer.

Dare cell-cycle-specific agents.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A

Alkylating agents are highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules

and thereby prevent their proper functioning, replication, and transcription. Choice 2 is incorrect because alkylating

agents have numerous side effects including alopecia, nausea, vomiting, and myelosuppression. Choice 3 is incorrect because nitrogen mustards have a broad spectrum of activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and breast and ovarian cancer, but they are effective chemotherapeutic agents because of DNA crosslinkage. Choice 4 is incorrect because alkylating agents are non-cell-cycle-specific agents.PharmacologicalTherapies

by Lajuana at Jun 12, 2025, 08:59 PM

Limited Time Offer

25%

Off

Get Premium NCLEX-PN Questions as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF

Contribute your Thoughts:

Submit Cancel

Rozella

2 months ago

Wait, are they really effective for all cancer types?

upvoted 0 times

...

Tamekia

2 months ago

I thought they had more side effects though?

upvoted 0 times

...

Delbert

2 months ago

Totally agree, A is the right answer!

upvoted 0 times

...

Kenia

3 months ago

D seems off, aren't they more effective in specific phases?

upvoted 0 times

...

Matthew

3 months ago

A is correct! They really do cross-link DNA.

upvoted 0 times

...

Corinne

3 months ago

I thought they were cell-cycle-specific, but I remember some agents are not, so I'm a bit confused about that part.

upvoted 0 times

...

India

3 months ago

I feel like they might be used for multiple cancers, but I can't recall if that's the main reason they're effective.

upvoted 0 times

...

Reita

4 months ago

I think the answer is A because we discussed how cross-linking can prevent DNA replication in our last review session.

upvoted 0 times

...

Cyndy

4 months ago

I remember that nitrogen mustards work by forming covalent bonds with DNA, but I'm not entirely sure if it's specifically with guanine.

upvoted 0 times

...

Kristel

4 months ago

The key here is that nitrogen mustards are cross-linking the DNA strands, which disrupts the DNA structure and is effective in treating cancer. I feel pretty good about this one.

upvoted 0 times

...

Jesus

4 months ago

I'm a bit confused on this one. I know nitrogen mustards are DNA alkylating agents, but I'm not sure about the specifics of how they work. I'll have to review my notes and try to remember the details.

upvoted 0 times

...

Mireya

4 months ago

Okay, I think I've got it. Nitrogen mustards are effective because they form covalent bonds between the alkyl groups on the drug and the guanine bases on the DNA, creating cross-links that disrupt the DNA structure. That's why they're effective as chemotherapeutic agents.

upvoted 0 times

...

Lashanda

5 months ago

Hmm, I'm a little unsure about this. I know nitrogen mustards are used in chemotherapy, but I can't quite remember the specific mechanism of how they work. I'll have to think this through carefully.

upvoted 0 times

...

Hollis

5 months ago

I'm pretty confident about this one. The key is that nitrogen mustards are DNA alkylating agents, so they must be cross-linking DNA strands to be effective.

upvoted 0 times

...

Weldon

7 months ago

A is the clear winner here. Alkylating the DNA is their main mode of action in killing cancer cells.

upvoted 0 times

Shawn

6 months ago

Yes, that's why option A is the correct answer.

upvoted 0 times

...

Alita

6 months ago

That's right, the alkylating agents work by forming covalent bonds with DNA.

upvoted 0 times

...

Veta

7 months ago

A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.

upvoted 0 times

...

Gussie

7 months ago

Haha, B is a good one. 'Few, if any, side effects' - yeah, right! These chemotherapies are notorious for their nasty side effects.

upvoted 0 times

Eloisa

6 months ago

C) are used to treat multiple types of cancer.

upvoted 0 times

...

Gianna

7 months ago

A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.

upvoted 0 times

...

Lera

7 months ago

Definitely A. Crosslinking DNA is the key mechanism of action for these alkylating agents.

upvoted 0 times

Dominga

7 months ago

Definitely A. Crosslinking DNA is the key mechanism of action for these alkylating agents.

upvoted 0 times

...

Sunny

7 months ago

A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.

upvoted 0 times

...

Angelica

8 months ago

I think A is the right answer. The ability to form covalent bonds with DNA is what makes these agents potent against cancer cells.

upvoted 0 times

Mollie

7 months ago

Yes, A is the right choice. The alkylating agents work by forming covalent bonds with DNA, leading to cell death.

upvoted 0 times

...

Dorothy

7 months ago

I think it's A too. The cross-linking of DNA strands is what causes damage to the cancer cells.

upvoted 0 times

...

Veronika

7 months ago

I agree, A is the correct answer. The covalent bonds with DNA are crucial for their effectiveness.

upvoted 0 times

...

Rebbeca

8 months ago

I'm not sure, but I think A makes sense based on what we learned in class.

upvoted 0 times

...

Tawna

8 months ago

I agree with Alfreda, because cross-linking DNA strands can prevent cell division.

upvoted 0 times

...

Patria

8 months ago

The correct answer is A. The alkylating agents cross-link DNA strands, which is why they are effective in chemotherapy.

upvoted 0 times

Selene

7 months ago

The alkylating agents cross-link DNA strands, which is why they are effective in chemotherapy.

upvoted 0 times

...

Giuseppe

8 months ago

A) cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.

upvoted 0 times

...

Alfreda

8 months ago

I think the answer is A.

upvoted 0 times

...