What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving nephrotoxic medications?

What should the nurse monitor in a patient receiving nephrotoxic medications?

• A. Only blood pressure
• B. Only serum electrolytes
• C. Renal function tests and signs of renal impairment
• D. Patient’s weight

Answer: (C)

In patients receiving nephrotoxic medications, it is crucial to monitor renal function tests and signs of renal impairment. Nephrotoxic medications can cause damage to the kidneys, and early detection of renal impairment allows for timely intervention to prevent irreversible damage. Key renal function tests often monitored include serum creatinine levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Additionally, signs of renal impairment may include changes in urine output, presence of protein or blood in the urine, or symptoms such as fatigue and edema. Monitoring these factors provides essential information about the patient's renal status and guides appropriate management. While monitoring blood pressure and serum electrolytes is important in the context of renal health and medication administration, these do not specifically address the immediate monitoring needs associated with nephrotoxicity. Likewise, monitoring the patient’s weight could provide information about fluid status but is not as direct or critical as monitoring renal function tests in this specific scenario.

In patients receiving nephrotoxic medications, it is crucial to monitor renal function tests and signs of renal impairment. Nephrotoxic medications can cause damage to the kidneys, and early detection of renal impairment allows for timely intervention to prevent irreversible damage. Key renal function tests often monitored include serum creatinine levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Additionally, signs of renal impairment may include changes in urine output, presence of protein or blood in the urine, or symptoms such as fatigue and edema. Monitoring these factors provides essential information about the patient's renal status and guides appropriate management.

While monitoring blood pressure and serum electrolytes is important in the context of renal health and medication administration, these do not specifically address the immediate monitoring needs associated with nephrotoxicity. Likewise, monitoring the patient’s weight could provide information about fluid status but is not as direct or critical as monitoring renal function tests in this specific scenario.