Question

The client receives epoetin alfa (Epogen) subcutaneously, and says to the nurse, "My doctor said I have anemia. Are there little red blood cells in that shot?" What are the best responses by the nurse? Select all that apply.

1. "Your kidney makes more erythropoietin if it doesn't get enough oxygen."
2. "Erythropoietin also helps your body make hemoglobin."
3. "This stimulates your kidney to make more red blood cells."
4. "It is similar to a kidney hormone, erythropoietin, and helps your body make more red blood cells."
5. "Your kidney makes more erythropoietin when you have too much fluid in your body."

Answer 1

Epoetin alfa (Epogen) is a synthetic form of erythropoietin that stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells but does not contain them. It is used to treat anemia by increasing red blood cell counts, which improves oxygen delivery in the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client asks if there are little red blood cells in the epoetin alfa (Epogen) injection. The best nurse responses explaining the effects of epoetin alfa, which is similar to the endogenous hormone erythropoietin, are:

1. Your kidney makes more erythropoietin if it doesn't get enough oxygen. This is true, as erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels in the blood.
2. Erythropoietin also helps your body make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an essential component of red blood cells that carries oxygen, and erythropoietin stimulates its production.
3. It is similar to a kidney hormone, erythropoietin, and helps your body make more red blood cells. Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin and works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, improving oxygen transport throughout the body.

Epoetin alfa does not contain red blood cells; instead, it stimulates the production of them.