What should be closely monitored for patients undergoing chemotherapy with a risk of nephrotoxicity?

Close monitoring of urine output is crucial for patients undergoing chemotherapy with a risk of nephrotoxicity because changes in urine output can be an early indicator of kidney function and potential damage. Chemotherapy agents can cause irritation or toxicity to the renal tubules, leading to decreased urine production or changes in urine concentration. This monitoring can help detect issues such as acute kidney injury, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further renal impairment.

While hemoglobin levels, blood pressure, and heart rate are important parameters to assess overall patient health and response to treatment, they are not specific indicators of renal function. Hemoglobin levels relate more to anemia and oxygen-carrying capacity, blood pressure is crucial for cardiovascular monitoring, and heart rate is indicative of overall cardiovascular health but does not provide direct insight into kidney function. Therefore, focusing on urine output is essential for identifying nephrotoxic effects early on, facilitating prompt management strategies to protect kidney health during chemotherapy.