A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic renal disease and is receiving therapy with epoetin alfa. Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse assess for to determine therapeutic effectiveness?

A. Clotting Factors: Epoetin alfa does not directly influence clotting factors. B. Hemoglobin & hematocrit: Epoetin alfa is used to stimulate red blood cell production, which increases hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Monitoring these values helps determine the drug’s therapeutic effectiveness in improving anemia associated with chronic renal disease. C. Leukocyte Count: This medication primarily affects red blood cells, not white blood cells (leukocytes). D. ALT & AST: These are liver function tests and are not related to the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.