A nurse should assess a client receiving streptomycin for which potential complication?

When a client is receiving streptomycin, it is crucial for the nurse to monitor for potential complications associated with the medication, one of the prominent concerns being hearing loss. Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can cause ototoxicity, which refers to damage to the auditory system leading to hearing impairment. This side effect can occur due to the drug's ability to accumulate in the inner ear, affecting the hair cells responsible for hearing. Monitoring auditory function during treatment is essential to catch any signs of hearing loss early and manage them appropriately.

The other options provided are less relevant in the context of streptomycin treatment. For example, changes in serum creatinine levels may indicate renal function issues, but decreased creatinine is not typically a complication associated with streptomycin, which can actually lead to increased serum creatinine due to nephrotoxicity. Difficulty swallowing is not a common side effect related to streptomycin. Lastly, IV infiltration pertains to issues with intravenous administration rather than a direct complication of the antibiotic itself.