Final answer:
The priority intervention for an anemic patient with a HGB of 9 and HCT of 30% should be to determine the cause of the anemia before administering any specific treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who is anemic with a hemoglobin (HGB) of 9 g/dL and a hematocrit (HCT) of 30% requires a priority intervention in their plan of care. The priority intervention should be D. Determine the cause of the anemia. This is crucial before administering treatments such as epoetin alfa, blood transfusions, or iron therapy, as the underlying cause of the anemia needs to be understood to provide effective and specific treatment. Furthermore, administering the wrong treatment without a clear diagnosis could be harmful or ineffective. For example, if the anemia is due to iron deficiency, as indicated by low hemoglobin levels within the range of 5 to 9 g/100 ml, oral iron therapy or iron supplements like iron dextran might be appropriate. However, if the anemia is due to another cause, such as hemolysis or chronic disease, these treatments would not be effective. Thus, understanding the etiology of anemia is vital for appropriate management.