A nurse is collecting data from a 4-month-old infant at a well-child visit. For which of the following findings should the nurse notify the provider?

A. Keep the finger in a dependent position:

• Keeping the finger in a dependent position (lower than the heart) helps promote blood flow to the fingertips, making it easier to obtain a blood sample. This position can facilitate the formation of a blood drop, improving the chances of obtaining an adequate sample for testing.

B. Wear sterile gloves:

• Sterile gloves are not typically necessary for routine capillary blood glucose monitoring. Clean, non-sterile gloves are generally sufficient for this procedure. However, the nurse should perform proper hand hygiene to minimize the risk of contamination.

C. Select the central tip of a finger:

• The central tip of the finger is more sensitive, and choosing this area may cause greater discomfort for the client. The sides of the fingertips are often preferred for capillary blood glucose testing as they have a good blood supply and are less sensitive.

D. Test the first drop of blood that forms after the puncture:

• The initial drop may contain tissue fluid or contaminants from the puncture site, so it is important to use the first drop to obtain a representative blood sample. This step contributes to the accuracy of the blood glucose measurement.

Choice A reason:

Increased haemoglobin is correct. level Epoetin alfa is a medication used to stimulate the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and it is often prescribed to treat anaemia. Anaemia is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the amount of haemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.

The therapeutic response to epoetin alfa is an increase in the haemoglobin level. This indicates that the medication is effectively stimulating the production of red blood cells, leading to an improvement in the client's anaemia and overall oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Choice B reason:

Increased platelet count: Platelets are involved in blood clotting and are not directly affected by epoetin alfa.

Choice C reason:

Increased neutrophil count: Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell involved in the body's immune response. Epoetin alfa primarily affects red blood cells and does not directly impact white blood cell levels.

Choice D reason:

Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): ESR is a non-specific indicator of inflammation in the body and is not directly related to the therapeutic response of epoetin alfa in treating anaemia.