Question

A client with renal failure has low erythropoietin levels; the nurse would expect which of the following in the CBC? (Select all that apply)

a) Increased hemoglobin
b) Decreased hematocrit
c) Normocytic, normochromic anemia
d) Elevated white blood cell count

Answer 1

Low erythropoietin levels in a client with renal failure would result in a decreased hematocrit and normocytic, normochromic anemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a client with renal failure and low erythropoietin levels, the nurse would expect certain changes in the Complete Blood Count (CBC). Specifically, the nurse would expect:

• Decreased hematocrit: Since erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells, low levels of erythropoietin would result in decreased production of red blood cells, leading to a decreased hematocrit.
• Normocytic, normochromic anemia: Normocytic refers to normal-sized red blood cells, and normochromic refers to normal hemoglobin content. With low erythropoietin levels, the production of red blood cells may be impaired, resulting in a normocytic, normochromic anemia.