What symptoms should be reported when taking colony-stimulating factors?

• A. Mild headaches
• B. Dry skin
• C. Any signs of an enlarged spleen, such as pain in the left upper abdomen or acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• D. Rash

Answer: (C)

Colony-stimulating factors can stimulate increased blood cell production, but they can also cause the spleen to enlarge. Because of this, any signs of splenomegaly should be reported right away. Symptoms like pain or fullness in the left upper abdomen (and sometimes referred pain to the left shoulder) can indicate an enlarged spleen or potential splenic rupture, which is a medical emergency. In addition, these agents can very rarely be associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, another serious issue needing prompt care. While milder effects such as headaches, dry skin, or rash can occur, the urgent reports are for signs of an enlarged spleen or severe lung complication.