Which side effect should be monitored for a patient receiving paclitaxel for ovarian cancer treatment?

When administering paclitaxel for ovarian cancer treatment, among the potential side effects, bradycardia is particularly notable and warrants careful monitoring. Paclitaxel can affect the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to heart rate changes. In some patients, it can induce bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate, and monitoring is essential because significant changes in heart rate can lead to complications such as decreased cardiac output and inadequate perfusion.

While nausea, chest pain, and fatigue are also common side effects associated with chemotherapy and specifically with paclitaxel, they are generally more expected and manageable through supportive care and preventive strategies. Nausea can often be managed with antiemetics, fatigue is a common experience that can be addressed through patient education and lifestyle adjustments, and chest pain may not be prevalent and can have many causes that may need attention.

In contrast, bradycardia can have more immediate implications for the patient's cardiac health and overall treatment tolerance, making it crucial to monitor heart rate closely and intervene if necessary. Thus, focusing on monitoring for bradycardia when a patient receives paclitaxel provides essential insights into their cardiovascular status and overall well-being during treatment.