The nurse administers epoetin alfa (Epogen) to a patient on dialysis. What should the nurse expect the therapeutic effect of this medication to be?
1. It treats the anemia seen in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis.
2. It combats the effects of dialysis on bone marrow.
3. It promotes elimination of nephrotoxic drugs from the body.
4. It enhances absorption of iron and folate in the intestinal tract.
Correct Answer: 1
In chronic kidney disease, erythropoietin production in the kidney declines, which suppresses RBC production leading to anemia. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents such as epoetin alfa increase RBC production. Iron and folate deficiencies are also seen in the patient on dialysis but these are related to inadequate nutrition. Epoetin alfa has no action on bone marrow, does not promote elimination of nephrotoxic drugs from the body, and does not affect absorption of iron or folate.
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