Which symptom should a nurse assess for in a client with a recent history of chemotherapy treatment?

Nausea is a common and significant symptom that can result from chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy agents are designed to target rapidly dividing cancer cells; however, they can also affect other rapidly dividing cells in the body, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea and vomiting.

Nurses need to assess for nausea because it can greatly impact a patient's quality of life, adherence to treatment, and overall recovery. Managing nausea effectively is crucial, as it may also lead to complications such as dehydration, nutritional imbalance, and decreased ability to tolerate further treatment.

While fatigue is also a relevant symptom, it is often a more generalized side effect of cancer and its treatments that may not present immediately following chemotherapy. Weight gain and an increase in appetite are not typical concerns following chemotherapy; more commonly, patients may experience weight loss and a decrease in appetite due to treatment side effects. Therefore, among the options provided, monitoring for nausea stands out as particularly critical in a patient who has undergone chemotherapy.