A patient who is receiving cancer chemotherapy has been ordered to receive epoetin alfa (Procrit) 150 units/kg 3 times weekly. The nurse reviews the patient's chart and notes a hemoglobin level of 10.9 g/dL. The nurse will perform which action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Epoetin alfa is a medication that stimulates the production of red blood cells and is typically given to patients with anemia, often caused by chemotherapy. However, this medication should only be administered if the patient's hemoglobin level is less than 10 g/dL. In this scenario, the patient's hemoglobin level is 10.9 g/dL, which is within the normal range. Therefore, the nurse should hold the dose and notify the provider to determine if the medication should be discontinued or the dose adjusted. Administering the medication could lead to adverse effects such as thromboembolic events, hypertension, and increased risk of mortality. Reducing the dose or requesting an increased dose is not appropriate in this situation.

A Patient Who Is Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy Has Been Ordered