After a course of chemotherapy for cancer of the throat, an older adult patient is admitted to the hospital with persistent nausea and vomiting. The nurse should initially assess the patient for
a. weight loss and weak gag reflex.
b. anemia and poor muscle tone.
c. oral inflammation and ulceration.
d. dehydration and infection.
D
Drug-induced nausea and vomiting can result in dehydration, decreased caloric intake, and weight loss. Chemotherapy in general will impact the immune system's ability to combat infec-tions. All assessments are important, but dehydration and infection (or sepsis) need to be treated immediately.
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