Which of the following is a common side effect of chemotherapy medications?

Chemotherapy medications are known to target rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells as well as some healthy cells. One of the most common side effects of this treatment is nausea. This occurs because the chemotherapeutic agents can irritate the stomach lining, disrupt normal gastrointestinal function, and affect the central nervous system pathways that control nausea and vomiting.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy often report experiencing nausea as a significant side effect, which can impact their quality of life and ability to maintain adequate nutrition. This is why supportive care often includes antiemetic medications to help manage these symptoms.

In contrast, increased appetite is generally not associated with chemotherapy; in fact, many patients experience a decrease in appetite due to the side effects of treatment. Selective immunity increase is not a typical outcome of chemotherapy, as these drugs can often suppress the immune system rather than enhance it. Lower blood pressure is also not a common side effect; while some individuals may experience changes in blood pressure due to fluid shifts or other factors during treatment, it is not regarded as a standard side effect of chemotherapy.