Which of the following can be a side effect of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is known to have a variety of side effects due to its impact on rapidly dividing cells in the body, particularly those of the hematopoietic system, which can result in a low red blood cell count, also known as anemia. This occurs because chemotherapy agents not only target cancer cells but can also affect healthy cells, including those in the bone marrow that produce blood cells. A decrease in red blood cells can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and paleness, as the body struggles to deliver adequate oxygen to tissues.

While fatigue can be associated with chemotherapy and is indeed a common side effect, the question specifies the direct result of chemotherapy on blood cell counts, making low red blood cell count a more precise focus. Furthermore, while nausea is also a frequent side effect of chemotherapy, the relief of nausea would not be a side effect of the treatment itself, as it implies a positive outcome rather than a potential adverse reaction.

It’s important to note that increased white blood cell count is typically not a side effect of chemotherapy. In fact, chemotherapy often leads to neutropenia, which is a decreased white blood cell count, increasing the risk of infections. Thus, identifying the accurate side effect involves recognizing how chemotherapy directly impacts hematopoies