Tamoxifen client teaching should include recognizing which complication?

Tamoxifen client teaching should include recognizing which complication?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hearing loss
• C. Skin rashes upon sunlight
• D. Signs of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

Answer: (D)

Tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots, so the most important complication to recognize is signs of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Teach patients to watch for unilateral leg swelling, warmth, redness, or painful leg discomfort, which can indicate a DVT. They should also be alert for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or coughing up blood, which could signal a PE and requires urgent medical evaluation. While other effects like skin rashes with sun exposure can occur, the clot-related symptoms are the critical, action-forcing signs to teach for safe use of this medication. Hyperglycemia or hearing loss are not typical or primary concerns with tamoxifen for patient teaching.

Tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots, so the most important complication to recognize is signs of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Teach patients to watch for unilateral leg swelling, warmth, redness, or painful leg discomfort, which can indicate a DVT. They should also be alert for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or coughing up blood, which could signal a PE and requires urgent medical evaluation. While other effects like skin rashes with sun exposure can occur, the clot-related symptoms are the critical, action-forcing signs to teach for safe use of this medication. Hyperglycemia or hearing loss are not typical or primary concerns with tamoxifen for patient teaching.