Chapter 49: Drugs Used to Treat Anemias

Which of the following patients will be at the greatest risk for anemia and would be the most likely candidate for epoetin alfa therapy? a) A 20-year-old female b) A 62-year-old male with cancer c) A 40-year-old male with a high white blood cell count d) A 30-year-old pregnant woman

A 62-year-old male with cancer

A student nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a hematopoietic agent. To test the student's understanding, the nursing instructor asks by what route the drug could be administered. What route would the student accurately reply? a) Oral b) Subcutaneous c) Intravenous d) B and C

B and C

A patient is being treated for anemia with epoetin alfa (Epogen). Which of the following laboratory values should be assessed before and during treatment? a) BUN b) ALT c) AST d) CBC

CBC

Which of the following would be appropriate for a client who is receiving iron therapy? a) Cautioning the client that stool may be dark or green b) Ensuring that the client consumes three large meals per day c) Advising the client to limit the amount of fiber in his diet d) Encouraging the client to take the drug on an empty stomach

Cautioning the client that stool may be dark or green

A patient is to be administered an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. Which of the following drugs would the nurse administer? a) Folic acid b) Ferrous sulfate c) Epoetin alfa d) Hydroxyurea

Epoetin alfa

The patient with chronic renal failure requires an agent to increase red blood cell production. What drug does the nurse anticipate administering? a) Epoetin alfa b) Thrombopoetin c) Filgrastim d) Oprelvekin

Epoetin alfa

The nurse administers epoetin alfa (Epogen). What is the therapeutic response the nurse expects to assess? a) Elevated white blood cell count b) Increased red blood cell count c) Increased resistance to infection d) Elevated heart rate

Increased red blood cell count

Which of the following would a nurse identify as the primary issue associated with anemias? a) Increased plasma proteins b) Defective white blood cells c) Lack of vitamin B12 d) Ineffective red blood cells

Ineffective red blood cells

A patient is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) for anemia. Which of the following adjunctive therapies are imperative with epoetin alfa? a) Sodium restriction b) Iron supplement c) Renal dialysis d) Potassium supplements

Iron supplement

You are caring for a client who is receiving epoetin alfa. What adjunct treatment will you expect the physician to order for this client? a) Renal dialysis b) Sodium restriction c) Iron supplement d) Potassium supplement

Iron supplement

After teaching a group of students about the types of anemia, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which anemia results from an inability to produce the intrinsic factor? a) Folic acid deficiency anemia b) Sickle cell anemia c) Iron deficiency anemia d) Pernicious anemia

Pernicious anemia

A patient has been prescribed epoetin alpha. The nurse recognizes that this medication is indicated for treatment of anemia associated with which disease process? a) Renal failure b) Liver failure c) Heart failure d) Lung failure

Renal failure

The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease who is receiving epoetin alfa. Which of the following assessment findings would be of greatest concern for the nurse? a) A rash under the breast b) 1 pound weight gain in 1 week c) Dry, nonproductive cough d) Reports of calf pain on dorsiflexion of the foot

Reports of calf pain on dorsiflexion of the foot

A patient's chart indicates a diagnosis of hemolytic anemia. The nurse understands that the patient has which of the following? a) Megaloblastic anemia b) Pernicious anemia c) Sickle-cell anemia d) Iron-deficiency anemia

Sickle-cell anemia

Which patient should not receive epoetin alfa (Epogen) as ordered at 9 am? a) The patient with a heart rate of 100 beats per minute b) The patient who has a blood pressure of 240/120 mm Hg c) The patient who is "too tired to get out of bed" d) The patient who has missed a round of chemotherapy

The patient who has a blood pressure of 240/120 mm Hg

The component of the red blood cell that is not recycled is bilirubin. a) False b) True

True

The patient is being prescribed epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia related to the renal failure. The patient also has a history of diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension, osteoarthritis, and hypothyroidism. Which of these conditions should the nurse bring to the physician's attention prior to administering the medication? a) Diabetes mellitus b) Hypothyroidism c) Osteoarthritis d) Uncontrolled hypertension

Uncontrolled hypertension

A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient with megaloblastic anemia. Which of the following might be used in the treatment of this patient? Select all that apply. a) Vitamin B12 b) Folic acid c) Procrit d) Epogen e) Iron dextran

• Folic acid • Vitamin B12

The clinic nurse receives a call from a client who has been taking interferon alfa for 7 days. The client states that he has become very sad and wonders if life is worth living. What is the best response by the nurse to this client? a) "Wait another 7 days and if you are still feeling sad, call back." b) "This is an expected effect. Your depression should lift in another 2 weeks." c) "Don't worry, this medication will make you well again." d) "Come to the clinic as soon as possible."

"Come to the clinic as soon as possible."

A nursing instructor is teaching students about the myelin sheath of the central nervous system (CNS). The nurse knows that teaching has been effective when a student identifies which of the following vitamins as necessary for the formation of the myelin sheath in the CNS? a) Vitamin C b) Vitamin B12 c) Vitamin D d) Folic acid

Vitamin B12