Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a patient who has anemia and a new prescription of epoetin alpha. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A) Increase intake of vitamin K-rich foods
B) Expect an immediate increase in hemoglobin levels
C) Report signs of hypertension
D) Take the medication with a meal

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the patient to report any signs of high blood pressure, understand that improvements in hemoglobin levels will not be immediate, and that taking the medication with meals is not necessary. Increasing vitamin K-rich foods intake is not related to epoetin alpha treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse providing teaching to a patient with anemia who has a new prescription for epoetin alpha should include several important points for the patient's safety and understanding of the medication.

• The nurse should advise the patient to report any signs of hypertension, as epoetin alpha can potentially raise blood pressure.
• Furthermore, it's important to inform the patient that an increase in hemoglobin levels will not be immediate and they should have realistic expectations regarding the time frame for improvement.
• Contrary to some medications, epoetin alpha does not need to be taken with a meal, so this instruction is not necessary.
• Lastly, while vitamin K is important for blood clotting, increasing the intake of vitamin K-rich foods is not specifically associated with the action of epoetin alpha, so this advice would not be relevant in this context.

It is essential for the safety and well-being of the patient that they understand these aspects of their treatment with epoetin alpha.