Question

a client with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa. which laboratory result would indicate a therapeutic effect of the medication?
answer options
1 hematocrit of 33% (0.33)
2 platelet count of 400,000 mm³ (400 × 10⁹/l)
3 white blood cell count of 6000 mm³ (6.0 × 10⁹/l)
4 blood urea nitrogen level of 15 mg/dl (5.4 mmol/l)

Explanation:

Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, so a therapeutic effect would relate to hematocrit (a measure of red blood cell volume). Hematocrit of 33% (0.33) is a relevant indicator for chronic kidney disease patients on epoetin alfa, as it reflects improved red blood cell levels. Platelet count relates to clotting, WBC to infection, and BUN to kidney function but not direct epoetin alfa therapeutic effect on RBCs.

Answer:

1. Hematocrit of 33% (0.33)