What should be monitored closely in a patient receiving Cisplatin for treatment?

Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat various cancers, including testicular, bladder, and lung cancer. A critical consideration when administering Cisplatin is its potential nephrotoxicity, meaning it can cause damage to the kidneys.

Monitoring kidney function is essential because Cisplatin can lead to acute kidney injury, especially when given at high doses or when the patient is dehydrated or has pre-existing renal impairment. Healthcare providers typically assess kidney function through serum creatinine levels and urinalysis, and they may also monitor urine output to detect any signs of renal dysfunction as early as possible.

The other options, while important in specific clinical contexts, do not pose the same direct risk associated with Cisplatin use as kidney function does. Heart rate and blood sugar levels do not have a significant direct correlation with Cisplatin therapy. Liver enzymes may be monitored when considering overall patient health and other medications, but they are not as critical as renal monitoring in this particular case. Therefore, close observation of kidney function is paramount when a patient is on Cisplatin treatment.