Nurses play a critical role in the administration and monitoring of mercaptopurine treatment. Key nursing interventions include:
Educating the patient and family about the medication, its purpose, and potential side effects. Monitoring for signs of infection, such as fever and sore throat, due to the risk of bone marrow suppression. Assessing for signs of bleeding or bruising, which may indicate low platelet counts. Encouraging adequate hydration to help reduce the risk of kidney problems. Ensuring adherence to follow-up appointments for blood tests and other evaluations.
