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The leukocyte count measures white blood cells and is not affected by epoetin alfa therapy, which specifically targets red blood cell production.

The platelet count measures clotting ability and is unrelated to the therapeutic goal of epoetin alfa, which stimulates erythropoiesis, not thrombopoiesis.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific indicator of inflammation and does not reflect the effectiveness of epoetin alfa therapy.

The statement reflects accurate understanding. Adherence to prescribed antihypertensive therapy helps prevent further renal damage and cardiovascular complications.

Uncontrolled hypertension accelerates kidney damage, so effective blood pressure control is a critical part of renal protection.

The statemen demonstrates appropriate understanding. Clients with renal disease benefit from guidance on dietary protein restriction to reduce the buildup of nitrogenous waste products.

A urine specific gravity of 1.038 is above the normal range (1.005–1.030) and indicates high urine concentration, which is consistent with dehydration rather than recovery. This finding shows that the kidneys are conserving water due to fluid deficit, not that treatment has been effective.

Lightheadedness suggests ongoing fluid volume deficit or hypotension, not improvement. The client may still have inadequate circulating volume or electrolyte imbalance.

A decreased pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic pressures) can result from hypovolemia or cardiac dysfunction and therefore indicates ineffective treatment rather than recovery.

Warming the dialysate solution in a microwave is unsafe, as it can cause uneven heating and increase the risk of peritoneal injury. Dialysate should always be warmed using a dry heating pad or warming cabinet, not a microwave.

Flushing the tubing with normal saline is not appropriate for managing cloudy effluent. This could introduce infection or disrupt the sterile system. The nurse must first determine the cause of the opacity before any intervention involving the catheter.

Checking the catheter for kinking or curling is appropriate if there is poor drainage or inflow issues, not when the effluent appears cloudy. The presence of opacity indicates infection, not a mechanical problem with the catheter.

Oxygen saturation of 93% is slightly below normal but does not, by itself, confirm fluid overload. It may indicate mild hypoxemia, but additional data (such as weight gain or edema) are needed to support that conclusion.

Return of skin to its previous position when palpated indicates normal skin turgor, suggesting adequate hydration, not fluid overload.

Flattened neck veins are typically associated with hypovolemia or dehydration, not fluid overload. In contrast, distended neck veins would be expected if the client were retaining excess fluid.

Renal function is reestablished during the recovery phase, not the oliguric phase. In the oliguric stage, renal function is severely impaired.

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) recovers during the diuretic and recovery phases, when kidney function begins to improve. In the oliguric phase, the GFR is significantly reduced.

BUN and creatinine levels decrease as the kidneys recover and excrete waste normally again. In the oliguric phase, however, both BUN and creatinine levels increase due to decreased renal clearance.

Redness at the catheter exit site is not expected and may indicate infection or peritonitis. The nurse should teach the client to monitor for signs of infection—such as redness, swelling, or drainage—and to report them immediately.

Foods high in fiber should not be avoided; rather, they are encouraged to help prevent constipation, which can interfere with dialysate flow and drainage.

Dialysate should never be warmed in a microwave oven because it can heat unevenly and cause abdominal burns. The correct method is to use a dialysate warming device designed specifically for this purpose to ensure uniform and safe warming.

Sodium should be restricted in CKD because excess sodium can cause fluid retention, hypertension, and edema, worsening cardiovascular strain and contributing to further kidney damage. Increasing sodium intake would counteract fluid balance goals in these clients.

Protein intake is usually limited in CKD to reduce the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products such as urea and creatinine. Although protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass, excessive intake can increase the kidney’s workload and accelerate the decline in renal function.

Potassium should be restricted in CKD because the kidneys cannot adequately excrete it. Elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can lead to dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias or cardiac arrest. Therefore, the nurse should teach the client to avoid potassium-rich foods such as bananas, oranges, and potatoes.

Checking distal pulses in the left arm is a safe and appropriate nursing action. It helps assess for adequate circulation beyond the AV fistula site and ensures that the vascular access has not compromised blood flow to the distal extremity.

Using the right arm for a blood pressure reading is appropriate and safe. Blood pressure measurements, venipunctures, or IV insertions should never be done on the arm with the AV fistula to avoid causing clot formation, vessel damage, or access loss.

Palpating the access site for a bruit or thrill is an important routine assessment to verify the patency and proper functioning of the fistula. The presence of a thrill (vibration) and bruit (swishing sound) indicates adequate blood flow through the access.

Antihypertensives may be prescribed as supportive therapy to control elevated blood pressure, which is common in glomerulonephritis. However, they do not address the underlying cause, which is the streptococcal infection.

Anti-lipids (lipid-lowering agents) are not a standard treatment for acute glomerulonephritis. While hyperlipidemia can occur in chronic kidney disease, it is not the priority in the acute phase caused by infection.

Antidepressants may be used for patients experiencing long-term chronic illness–related depression, but they have no therapeutic role in treating acute glomerulonephritis.