Which laboratory trend would support the presence of nephrotoxicity in a patient receiving chemotherapy?

Which laboratory trend would support the presence of nephrotoxicity in a patient receiving chemotherapy?

• A. Rising BUN and creatinine
• B. Decreasing BUN
• C. Stable liver enzymes
• D. Decreasing creatinine

Answer: (A)

Nephrotoxicity from chemotherapy impairs the kidneys’ filtering ability, so waste products that the kidneys normally clear accumulate in the blood. This shows up as rising BUN and rising creatinine on labs, with creatinine being a more specific marker of glomerular filtration rate. When both markers increase, it strongly indicates reduced kidney function from toxicity. In contrast, decreasing BUN or decreasing creatinine would suggest improved clearance, and stable liver enzymes don’t directly reflect kidney injury. So the lab trend that best supports nephrotoxicity is rising BUN and rising creatinine.

Nephrotoxicity from chemotherapy impairs the kidneys’ filtering ability, so waste products that the kidneys normally clear accumulate in the blood. This shows up as rising BUN and rising creatinine on labs, with creatinine being a more specific marker of glomerular filtration rate. When both markers increase, it strongly indicates reduced kidney function from toxicity. In contrast, decreasing BUN or decreasing creatinine would suggest improved clearance, and stable liver enzymes don’t directly reflect kidney injury. So the lab trend that best supports nephrotoxicity is rising BUN and rising creatinine.