Which intervention is most important to educate a client status post mastectomy and breast augmentation who is receiving anthracycline chemotherapy?

• A. Reminding the client to expect soreness in the chest
• B. Teaching the client that they may have difficulty in raising their arm
• C. Instructing the client to report a chronic cough and shortness of breath
• D. Teaching the client to avoid blood pressure measurements on the affected side

Answer: (C)

Anthracycline chemotherapy can damage the heart muscle over time, causing dose-related cardiotoxicity. Because of this, the most important education is for the client to recognize and report signs that could indicate developing heart failure, such as a chronic cough and shortness of breath. Early reporting allows the care team to assess cardiac function, adjust treatment if needed, and start supportive measures before serious complications arise.

Chest soreness is common after mastectomy and reconstruction and doesn’t point to chemo-related heart problems. Difficulty raising the arm is more about postoperative mobility and lymphedema risk from surgery rather than a cardiotoxic effect. Avoiding blood pressure measurements on the affected side helps reduce lymphedema risk but doesn’t address the acute cardiovascular risks of chemotherapy. So, teaching to monitor and report respiratory symptoms directly targets the most serious potential chemo-related complication.