Which laboratory value should a nurse specifically monitor for a client receiving tamoxifen?

The correct answer is monitoring calcium levels for a client receiving tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen medication commonly prescribed for certain types of breast cancer. One of the side effects associated with tamoxifen treatment is the potential impact on calcium metabolism. Tamoxifen can cause alterations in calcium levels, leading to hypercalcemia in some patients. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers, including nurses, to regularly assess calcium levels to ensure that they remain within a normal range and to prevent complications associated with imbalanced calcium levels.

Monitoring glucose, potassium, or prothrombin time is less relevant in this specific context. While a patient’s overall health and pre-existing conditions may require these values to be monitored, they are not the primary laboratory values of concern when a patient is receiving tamoxifen therapy. Monitoring calcium levels helps in managing the specific risks associated with tamoxifen treatment, ensuring better patient outcomes.