Which of the following is a common hematological side effect of chemotherapy?

Anemia is a common hematological side effect of chemotherapy because many chemotherapeutic agents can affect the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells. The process of erythropoiesis, or red blood cell production, can be disrupted by chemotherapy, leading to a reduced number of circulating red blood cells. This condition results in anemia, which can manifest as fatigue, weakness, and pallor in patients.

Chemotherapy often targets rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also normal cells in the bone marrow that are responsible for blood cell production. Therefore, anemia is frequently observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, making it a significant concern in their overall management and care. Monitoring hemoglobin levels and providing appropriate interventions, such as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or blood transfusions, may be necessary to manage anemia effectively.

The other options, while relevant to different aspects of patient care and chemotherapy side effects, do not specifically pertain to hematological changes. Hyperglycemia is more related to metabolic changes, hypertension can occur due to several factors unrelated to blood formation, and respiratory distress is generally associated with lung function rather than blood cell production.