Question

A patient with chronic renal failure was started on erythropoietin for anemia. The hospital protocol follows the manufacturer's guidelines. The starting dose was 75 units/kg three times a week and the patient's hematocrit was 25. What is the starting dose of erythropoietin for the patient?

1) 50 units/kg three times a week
2) 75 units/kg three times a week
3) 100 units/kg three times a week
4) 125 units/kg three times a week

Answer 1

The starting dose of erythropoietin for a patient is calculated by multiplying the patient's weight in kg by 75 units/kg, to be administered three times weekly. Erythropoietin is essential for red blood cell production, and in cases of renal failure, synthetic EPO helps treat anemia and improve oxygen delivery in the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the starting dose of erythropoietin (EPO) for a patient with chronic renal failure and a hematocrit of 25, you would use the prescribed dosing guideline of 75 units/kg three times a week. Assuming you have the patient's weight in kilograms, you would multiply the weight by 75 units to get the correct starting dose. For example, if a patient weighs 70 kg, the calculation would be 70 kg × 75 units/kg, which equals 5,250 units per dose. This dose would then be administered three times a week.

Erythropoietin is crucial in the treatment of anemia caused by chronic renal failure because the kidneys no longer produce adequate amounts of this hormone, which is essential for red blood cell production. A proper dosing of synthetic EPO can help improve oxygen delivery throughout the body and alleviate the symptoms of anemia.