A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed to cyclosporine. The nurse should monitor the patient for which common side effects?

Explanation

• Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, severe rheumatoid arthritis, or severe psoriasis.

• The most common side effects are renal dysfunction (leading to hyperkalemia), tremor, hirsutism, acne, hypertension, immunosuppression (which increases the risk of infection), and gingival (gum) hyperplasia.

• Muscle pain (myalgia) and hypotension are not common side effects of cyclosporine. However, leg cramps are a common side effect.

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