When monitoring a patient taking NSAIDs, which laboratory values are crucial to watch?

Monitoring a patient taking NSAIDs is particularly important due to the potential renal effects of these medications. NSAIDs are known to interfere with renal blood flow, which can lead to acute kidney injury, especially in individuals with pre-existing renal conditions or those who are dehydrated. Therefore, assessing kidney function is vital, which is where creatinine levels come into play. Elevated creatinine levels can indicate impaired kidney function and should be closely monitored in patients receiving NSAIDs.

Additionally, NSAIDs can cause hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with renal impairment or those who are concurrently taking other medications that affect potassium levels. Monitoring for high potassium levels is essential because hyperkalemia can lead to serious cardiac complications.

In contrast, while blood glucose and liver enzymes are important to monitor in certain contexts, they are not the primary concerns with NSAID usage. Electrolytes and blood pressure are important in a broader patient management context but do not specifically address the direct renal risks posed by NSAIDs. A complete blood count and INR are more relevant for monitoring potential bleeding complications from other medications, particularly anticoagulants, rather than the direct renal implications of NSAIDs.