Final answer:
The nurse planning care for a client with chemotherapy-induced anemia starting on epoetin should monitor for hypertension due to the potential increase in red blood cell count leading to higher blood viscosity and blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
When planning care for a client who has chemotherapy-induced anemia and is starting epoetin, the nurse should include monitoring for hypertension as an intervention. Epoetin, also known as synthetic erythropoietin, works by stimulating the production of erythrocytes (red blood cells) to counteract anemia. However, since this medication can raise the quantity of red blood cells, it could inadvertently lead to an increase in blood viscosity, thereby causing hypertension. Monitoring for changes in blood pressure is essential to manage potential adverse effects and ensure patient safety. On the other hand, the nurse should not shake the medication vial prior to drawing up the medication, as this could damage the protein structure of epoetin. The medication should also not be withheld if hemoglobin levels are less than 9 g/dL without specific instruction from a healthcare provider. Lastly, initiating contact isolation is not necessary when administering epoetin, as it does not impose an infectious risk that would require such precautions.