What is an adverse effect associated with cisplatin that a nurse must monitor for?

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy agent commonly used to treat various types of cancer, including testicular, ovarian, bladder, and lung cancers. One significant aspect of cisplatin therapy is the potential for various adverse effects, making monitoring essential for patient safety.

Nephrotoxicity is one of the most prominent adverse effects associated with cisplatin. It can lead to conditions such as acute kidney injury due to the drug's propensity to cause damage to renal tubules. Monitoring renal function, particularly serum creatinine and electrolyte levels, is crucial in patients receiving cisplatin.

Hypomagnesemia can also occur as a side effect of cisplatin, as it may disrupt magnesium homeostasis, which is important given that magnesium plays a key role in many physiological processes. The loss of magnesium can lead to other complications such as muscle cramps, weakness, or cardiac issues.

Although hypercalcemia is not typically associated with cisplatin, monitoring for it along with the other identified adverse effects may be part of a comprehensive management strategy for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Therefore, the recommendation to monitor for all these potential adverse effects aligns with best practices in patient care during cisplatin treatment, highlighting the importance of vigilant monitoring to ensure patient safety and address any