What laboratory test is essential to monitor before chemotherapy administration?

The complete blood count (CBC) is a crucial laboratory test to monitor before administering chemotherapy. This test provides valuable information about a patient's blood cell levels, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Chemotherapy can significantly affect bone marrow function, leading to myelosuppression, which can result in decreased white blood cell counts, increasing the risk of infection, as well as decreased red blood cell counts and platelets, which can lead to anemia and bleeding complications.

Monitoring the CBC before treatment ensures that a healthcare provider can assess the patient's ability to tolerate chemotherapy safely. Any abnormalities in the CBC, such as low neutrophil or platelet counts, may necessitate adjustments in treatment plans, such as delaying chemotherapy or using growth factors to boost blood cell production.

While liver function tests, electrolyte levels, and serum creatinine levels are also important and may be monitored for certain chemotherapeutic agents, the CBC is specifically essential for evaluating hematologic status and guiding safety considerations related to chemotherapy administration.