Chemoprotective Agents and Bone Marrow Stimulants
Chemoprotective Agents and Bone Marrow Stimulants ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is educating a client who has colon cancer and is receiving chemotherapy that causes anemia. The nurse should explain to the client that epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant, works by:
Increasing the number of red blood cells in your blood is the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Red blood cells are the cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. By increasing the number of red blood cells, epoetin alfa can improve the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood and reduce the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and pallor.
Increasing the amount of iron in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Iron is a mineral that is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in the red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, but it is not the main cause of anemia in clients receiving chemotherapy. Epoetin alfa does not increase the amount of iron in the blood, but it may increase the demand for iron, as more red blood cells are produced. The client may need to take iron supplements along with epoetin alfa to prevent iron deficiency.
Increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Oxygen is a gas that is inhaled from the air and diffuses into the blood through the lungs. The amount of oxygen in the blood depends on several factors, such as the atmospheric pressure, the respiratory rate, and the ventilationperfusion ratio. Epoetin alfa does not increase the amount of oxygen in the blood directly, but it can increase the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood indirectly, by increasing the number of red blood cells.
Increasing the number of platelets in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Platelets are cell fragments that are involved in blood clotting and hemostasis. Thrombocytopenia is a condition that causes low platelet count and increases the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by chemotherapy, but it is not treated by epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa does not increase the number of platelets in the blood, but it may increase the risk of thrombosis, as more red blood cells can make the blood more viscous. The client may need to take anticoagulant drugs along with epoetin alfa to prevent thrombosis.
Choice A reason:
Increasing the number of red blood cells in your blood is the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Red blood cells are the cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. By increasing the number of red blood cells, epoetin alfa can improve the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood and reduce the symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and pallor.
Choice B reason:
Increasing the amount of iron in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Iron is a mineral that is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in the red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, but it is not the main cause of anemia in clients receiving chemotherapy. Epoetin alfa does not increase the amount of iron in the blood, but it may increase the demand for iron, as more red blood cells are produced. The client may need to take iron supplements along with epoetin alfa to prevent iron deficiency.
Choice C reason:
Increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Oxygen is a gas that is inhaled from the air and diffuses into the blood through the lungs. The amount of oxygen in the blood depends on several factors, such as the atmospheric pressure, the respiratory rate, and the ventilationperfusion ratio. Epoetin alfa does not increase the amount of oxygen in the blood directly, but it can increase the oxygencarrying capacity of the blood indirectly, by increasing the number of red blood cells.
Choice D reason:
Increasing the number of platelets in your blood is not the mechanism of action of epoetin alfa, a bone marrow stimulant that is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Platelets are cell fragments that are involved in blood clotting and hemostasis. Thrombocytopenia is a condition that causes low platelet count and increases the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by chemotherapy, but it is not treated by epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa does not increase the number of platelets in the blood, but it may increase the risk of thrombosis, as more red blood cells can make the blood more viscous. The client may need to take anticoagulant drugs along with epoetin alfa to prevent thrombosis.