A nurse is caring for a patient receiving their third cycle of chemotherapy for breast cancer. The patient reports feeling constantly fatigued, has developed mouth sores, and asks why their hair is falling out. Which explanation best describes why these side effects occur together during chemotherapy?
- Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells as well as normal cells in the hair follicles, gastrointestinal mucosa, and bone marrow.
- Chemotherapy causes an allergic response that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and hair follicles simultaneously.
- Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system specifically, which allows opportunistic infections to attack hair follicles and oral tissues.
- Chemotherapy disrupts the nervous system, reducing blood flow to peripheral tissues including the scalp and oral mucosa.