Tracy is receiving combination chemotherapy for treatment of metastatic carcinoma. Nurse Ruby should monitor the client for the systemic side effect of:
A. Ascites
B. Nystagmus
C. Leukopenia
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: C. Leukopenia
Leukopenia, a reduction in WBCs, is a systemic effect of chemotherapy as a result of myelosuppression.
Option A: Ascites is common in some cancers that have reached the advanced stages and spread in the abdominal area. Sometimes chemotherapy might help manage ascites; it is not a side effect of chemotherapy.
Option B: Platinum-based chemotherapy is an effective antineoplastic intervention that is used for a variety of human malignancies. There were reports of spontaneous nystagmus in 7 out of 10 patients (70%) and positional nystagmus (60%).
Option D: While polycythemia vera is not a side effect of chemotherapy, it can become drug-induced with the excess use of rHuEPO or anabolic steroids.