Erythropoietin use in the critical care setting

Biotechnology products signify a major advancement in our world today. Products resulting from biotechnology will revolutionize how health care is delivered. One of these technologic breakthroughs is recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin). Its impact on the delivery of care to the anemic renal patient is changing the roles of nurses who provide care for these patients. Epoetin alfa has virtually eliminated the necessity of transfusions in the renal patient population, while simultaneously improving the quality of life for those patients and their families. To appropriately monitor the patient receiving epoetin therapy, the nurse must understand iron physiology and metabolism, factors that influence blood pressure, and factors that can blunt the response to epoetin therapy, and still appreciate the individual nursing requirements of each patient. Such juggling of information demands that the critical care nurse be alert to the subtle changes occurring within the patient, thereby allowing sound decisions based on astute nursing assessment.