What nursing interventions should be implemented when administering Sargramostim (GM-CSF)?

What nursing interventions should be implemented when administering Sargramostim (GM-CSF)?

• A. Monitor for tachycardia
• B. Monitor for hypokalemia
• C. Monitor for edema
• D. Monitor for diarrhea, rash, malaise, and bone pain

Answer: (D)

GM‑CSF stimulates the bone marrow to produce white blood cells, so its most notable adverse effects are systemic and musculoskeletal—diarrhea, rash, malaise, and bone pain. The nursing focus is to assess for and manage these symptoms as they arise, provide supportive care (for example, analgesics for bone pain and treatments for diarrhea or rash as ordered), and report any severe or persistent effects to the physician. Tachycardia, edema, and hypokalemia can occur in some cases but are not as characteristic or specific to this therapy; monitoring for those is secondary to tracking the more common symptoms listed.

GM‑CSF stimulates the bone marrow to produce white blood cells, so its most notable adverse effects are systemic and musculoskeletal—diarrhea, rash, malaise, and bone pain. The nursing focus is to assess for and manage these symptoms as they arise, provide supportive care (for example, analgesics for bone pain and treatments for diarrhea or rash as ordered), and report any severe or persistent effects to the physician. Tachycardia, edema, and hypokalemia can occur in some cases but are not as characteristic or specific to this therapy; monitoring for those is secondary to tracking the more common symptoms listed.