A client receives a prescription for dalteparin 2500 units subcutaneously 2 hours before a scheduled procedure. The medication is available in a 5000 units/0.2 mL prefilled syringe. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only)

Choice B reason: Naloxone may be necessary, but first, the source of overdose (patches) must be removed to prevent further opioid absorption. After removal, the nurse should assess the severity and then administer naloxone if needed.

Choice A reason: Applying oxygen face mask is not the first action that the nurse should take in this situation, but rather a supportive measure that can be done after administering naloxone. Oxygen can help to improve the client's oxygenation and prevent hypoxia, but it will not reverse the opioid overdose.

Choice C reason: The client is exhibiting signs of opioid overdose, including respiratory depression (shortness of breath) and decreased level of consciousness (difficult to arouse). The first priority is to remove the excess morphine patches to stop further opioid absorption and prevent worsening of the overdose.

Choice D reason: Monitoring blood pressure is not the first action that the nurse should take in this situation, but rather an ongoing assessment that can be done after administering naloxone. Monitoring blood pressure can help to detect any changes in the client's hemodynamic status and guide further interventions, but it will not reverse the opioid overdose.

Choice B reason: Epoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow. Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia, or low RBC count, which can be caused by CKD, chemotherapy, HIV infection, or other conditions. Anemia can cause symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, and chest pain. Hemoglobin is the protein in RBCs that carries oxygen throughout the body. The normal range of hemoglobin for males is 14 to 18 g/dL (8.7 to 11.2 mmol/L). Therefore, an increase in hemoglobin from below normal to within normal indicates that epoetin alfa has been effective in increasing RBC production and improving oxygen delivery. The nurse should monitor the client's hemoglobin level regularly and adjust the dose of epoetin alfa as needed.

Choice A reason:While iron therapy supports the effectiveness of epoetin alfa by providing the necessary substrate for erythropoiesis, tolerating iron therapy is not an indicator of epoetin alfa's efficacy.

Choice C reason: Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by stimulating erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). The primary measure of its effectiveness is an increase in hemoglobin (Hgb) levels toward the target range. The hemoglobin level increasing to 12 g/dL (7.45 mmol/L) reflects a significant improvement from an anemic state and is within the target range for patients receiving epoetin alfa therapy (generally 10–12 g/dL). This is the most objective and definitive indicator of the medication's effectiveness.

Choice D reason: Taking concurrent iron therapy without adverse effects is not a finding that best indicates that the medication is effective, but rather a preventive measure that can reduce the risk of iron deficiency and improve the efficacy of epoetin alfa. Iron therapy refers to taking oral or intravenous iron supplements to increase iron levels in the blood. Iron therapy can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dark stools, metallic taste, or allergic reactions. The nurse should instruct the client on how to take iron therapy safely and monitor for any adverse effects.