Which of the following side effects is associated with cisplatin and carboplatin?

Cisplatin and carboplatin are both chemotherapy agents that are commonly used in the treatment of various types of cancer. A well-documented side effect of these medications is nausea and vomiting, which can occur due to their impact on the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system. These drugs often affect the body's ability to regulate nausea, triggering the vomiting reflex as a response.

The severity of nausea and vomiting can vary from patient to patient and might require the use of antiemetic medications to help manage these side effects. The mechanisms behind this include the stimulation of certain receptors in the brain and the gastrointestinal tract that are involved in the emetic response.

In contrast, other options such as weight gain, mild headache, and muscle cramps are not typically associated with cisplatin and carboplatin. While patients may experience a range of side effects from cancer treatment in general, the hallmark issues related specifically to these platinum-based drugs predominantly include nausea and vomiting.