Question

An oncology client on chemotherapy has had an episode of GI bleeding. The client has been receiving an erythropoietin stimulating agent, epoetin alfa. The client reports severe bone pain (arthralgia). Knowing the basic pathophysiologic principles, the nurse explains that the bone pain is related to:

Answer 1

The severe bone pain experienced by a client using epoetin alfa is due to the expansion and increased activity of the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bone pain (arthralgia) experienced by an oncology client on chemotherapy who has been receiving epoetin alfa is related to the stimulation of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. Epoetin alfa is an erythropoietin stimulating agent that promotes the production of red blood cells. As the bone marrow expands and increases its activity to produce more erythrocytes, the structural changes and pressure within the bone can cause discomfort or pain, resulting in arthralgia.