A nurse is preparing to administer lidocaine via continuous IV infusion at 4 mg/min. Available is lidocaine 2 g dextrose 5% in water 500 mL. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A Reason:
Oral is incorrect. Epoetin alfa is not typically administered orally because it would be broken down by digestive enzymes and not absorbed effectively from the gastrointestinal tract.
Choice B Reason:
Intravenous is correct. Epoetin alfa is a medication used to stimulate red blood cell production and is commonly administered intravenously. This route allows for rapid and efficient absorption of the medication into the bloodstream, enabling it to exert its effects effectively.
Choice C Reason:
Inhalation is incorrect. Inhalation is not a route used for epoetin alfa. This medication is intended for systemic effects rather than local effects in the respiratory system.
Choice D Reason:
Transdermal is incorrect. Transdermal administration involves absorption through the skin and is not suitable for epoetin alfa, which needs rapid and direct access to the bloodstream for its action on red blood cell production.

Choice A Reason:
BUN 15 mg/dL (blood urea nitrogen) is incorrect. An elevated BUN level can indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, but it's not typically associated with azathioprine's adverse effects. Azathioprine is known to affect bone marrow, leading to decreased blood cell counts, rather than directly impacting kidney function.
Choice B Reason:
WBC 3,000/mm³ (low white blood cell count) is correct. Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive medication used to treat various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. One of its known adverse effects is bone marrow suppression, which can lead to decreased production of blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs). A low WBC count (leukopenia) can increase the risk of infections due to compromised immune function, making it an important adverse effect to monitor in individuals taking azathioprine.
Choice C Reason:
Hct 45% (hematocrit) is incorrect. A hematocrit of 45% is within the normal range for both men and women. Azathioprine adverse effects usually manifest as blood cell-related issues (such as leukopenia) rather than directly impacting hematocrit levels.
Choice D Reason:
Platelets 250,000/mm³: Platelets within the range of 150,000 to 400,000/mm³ are considered normal. Azathioprine typically affects white blood cells more prominently than platelet counts.