Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

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What is the main action of the drug Arimidex?

Stimulates estrogen production in premenopausal women
Stops estrogen production in postmenopausal women
Increases fertility in women with breast cancer
Serves as a pain reliever for breast cancer patients

The correct answer is: Stops estrogen production in postmenopausal women

Arimidex, also known by its generic name Anastrozole, primarily functions as an aromatase inhibitor. Its main action is to stop estrogen production in postmenopausal women. After menopause, the ovaries significantly reduce their estrogen production, and most of the estrogen in a woman's body is then produced through the aromatization of androgens (like testosterone) in peripheral tissues, particularly in the adipose (fat) tissues. Arimidex inhibits the aromatase enzyme that catalyzes this conversion, thereby effectively reducing estrogen levels in the body. This reduction in estrogen is particularly important in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, where the cancer growth is fueled by estrogen. By lowering estrogen levels, Arimidex can help slow down or stop the growth of these tumors, making it a critical therapeutic option for postmenopausal women experiencing this type of breast cancer. Other choices do not accurately reflect the drug's action: stimulating estrogen production would be counterproductive in treating estrogensensitive cancers, and increasing fertility or serving as a pain reliever does not align with the drug's therapeutic use in oncology.