Which of the following is an indication of renal function when using aminoglycosides?

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that can potentially cause nephrotoxicity, making monitoring renal function crucial during treatment. Creatinine levels are a direct indicator of kidney function because creatinine is a waste product produced from muscle metabolism that is normally excreted by the kidneys. When renal function declines, creatinine levels in the blood rise because the kidneys cannot filter it out effectively. Therefore, measuring serum creatinine provides a clear assessment of the kidneys’ ability to excrete waste, allowing healthcare providers to evaluate the patient’s renal function reliably while on aminoglycosides.

Monitoring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) can also give some insight into renal function, but it can be influenced by factors other than kidney function, such as protein intake or dehydration. Electrolyte balance is important for assessing overall health and can indicate renal function indirectly but does not provide a direct measure of how well the kidneys are filtering waste products. Urinary output is critical to consider as well; however, it can vary widely due to factors like fluid intake, and it may not reflect immediate changes in kidney function as quickly as creatinine levels do.