Final answer:
When using epoetin alfa, nurses should monitor for dyspnea as it indicates possible heart failure and respiratory compromise. Dyspnea is a key symptom to report to the healthcare provider among others like bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and peripheral edema, which are also adverse effects but less directly related to the respiratory status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a critical hormone produced primarily by the kidneys, which stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow. Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of EPO used to treat anemia, particularly in patients with chronic renal failure. However, its use can lead to several adverse effects, including heart failure, due to fluid volume overload. This overload may present with symptoms ranging from peripheral edema to pulmonary edema.
Monitoring a client's respiratory status is crucial when administering epoetin alfa, as heart failure can contribute to compromised respiratory function and manifest as dyspnea. Therefore, if a client develops dyspnea, a nurse should notify the healthcare provider as it may indicate worsening heart function. Other symptoms to watch for include bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and peripheral edema; however, of these options, dyspnea is the most directly related to respiratory compromise in the context of heart failure related to epoetin alfa.