What critical assessment should be done before and after the infusion of 5-fluorouracil?

Before and after the infusion of 5-fluorouracil, assessing oral health is particularly critical due to the drug’s potential side effects, which can include mucositis and oral toxicity. These side effects occur because 5-fluorouracil affects rapidly dividing cells, including those in the oral mucosa. By conducting thorough oral assessments, healthcare providers can identify any early signs of mucosal damage or infection, allowing for timely interventions to mitigate discomfort and prevent complications such as infections or difficulties in swallowing.

Monitoring cardiac function, assessing respiratory rate, and checking renal function, while important aspects of patient care, are not as directly impacted by 5-fluorouracil as oral health assessments. Cardiac function monitoring is typically more relevant with other chemotherapeutic agents, respiratory parameters do not change directly due to this therapy, and renal function is more of a concern with drugs that have significant renal excretion or nephrotoxicity. Therefore, focusing on oral health provides the most immediate and relevant insight into the patient's experience with 5-fluorouracil treatment.