NCLEX Exam NCLEX-PN Topic 1 Question 5 Discussion

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