Complementary and alternative medicine focuses on treating the

person using natural products and mind-body therapies.

A. Easy bruising indicates the medication is effective: While some bruising is possible, excessive bruising doesn't necessarily mean the medication is working effectively. It could indicate excessive anticoagulation, requiring dose adjustments.

B. Inject the medication deep into the thigh muscle: Heparin is injected subcutaneously, targeting the fatty tissue layer just beneath the skin. Injecting into the muscle can be painful and decrease absorption.

C. Expect stools to become black and tarry: Black stools can be a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a potential but uncommon side effect. The nurse should instruct the client to report any black stools but not expect them as a normal occurrence.

D. Use a soft bristle toothbrush: This is important because heparin increases bleeding risk, and a soft-bristled toothbrush minimizes gum irritation and potential bleeding.

A. Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting can occur with epoetin alfa, but it's not the most common side effect.

B. Orthostatic hypotension: This is not a common side effect of epoetin alfa. Orthostatic hypotension is a decrease in blood pressure upon standing.

C. Hypertension: Epoetin alfa stimulates the production of red blood cells. When the red blood cell count increases too quickly, it can lead to increased blood pressure, which is the most common adverse effect.

D. Dizziness: Dizziness can occur with epoetin alfa, but it's less common than hypertension.