16th May 2025

You are a medical SHO working on a general medical ward, and are seeking advice from microbiology regarding a patient who is on day 4 of gentamicin therapy for a diabetic foot infection.

You are a medical SHO working on a general medical ward, and are seeking advice from microbiology regarding a patient who is on day 4 of gentamicin therapy for a diabetic foot infection. Due to multiple drug resistance on recent wound swabs, the microbiology team advise a prolonged course of gentamicin on this occasion, with regular review. 

Prolonged gentamicin therapy should be closely monitored due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Alongside serum gentamicin what other patient parameters should be monitored closely?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.