A 19-year-old athlete is admitted to the emergency department in hypertensive crisis. It is determined that this patient has been "blood doping" to prepare for a championship game. How does the nurse explain this practice to the patient's parents?

Question

1. "Having additional red blood cells may put an athlete at an advantage as more oxygen is available for cells."
2. "This process may include transfusion of blood products."
3. "Some athletes take epoetin alfa to increase their competitive edge."
4. "Blood doping helps to increase white blood cells that help to repair tissue damage."
5. "The injection of blood deep into muscles is thought to improve their strength."

Answer 1

1,2,3
Rationale 1: The rationale behind blood doping is that increasing numbers of RBCs will increase hemoglobin and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Rationale 2: Some athletes withdraw their own blood and then have it retransfused.
Rationale 3: Taking epoetin alfa increases RBC levels.
Rationale 4: Blood doping does not focus on increasing WBCs.
Rationale 5: Blood doping does not include intramuscular injection of blood.

Global Rationale: The rationale behind blood doping is that increasing numbers of RBCs will increase hemoglobin and oxygen-carrying capacity. Some athletes withdraw their own blood and then have it retransfused. Taking epoetin alfa increases RBC levels. Blood doping does not focus on increasing WBCs. Blood doping does not include intramuscular injection of blood.