APHON Pediatric Chemotherapy-Biotherapy Renewal

Neurotoxicities of Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Maritza Salazar-Abshire, MEd MSN RN CPON ®

Learner Outcomes Upon completion of this Pediatric Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider Program learning activity 1. the learner will be able to describe the two main components of the nervous system 2. the learner will be able to recognize commonly used chemotherapy agents that cause neurotoxicity in the pediatric oncology patient population 3. the learner will be able to identify neurotoxicities caused by immunotherapy and targeted therapy agents used to treat pediatric oncology patients.

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Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems: An Overview The nervous system controls our reflexes, movements, actions, and sensations, continuously controlling who we are and what we do. A complex collection of nerves that are connected to our brain and spinal cord, it is divided into two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system ( Figure 1 ). Together the parts of the nervous system work to transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body. These signals control our ability to move, breathe, see, and think, among many other daily activities.