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 should the nurse review for an indication of a therapeutic effect of the medication?

A. Leukocyte count reflects white blood cell levels and is not related to the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa. B. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, not a measure of erythropoiesis. C. Platelet count reflects clotting function and is unaffected by epoetin alfa. D. Hematocrit (Hct) measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, so an increase in hematocrit is the best indication of a therapeutic response.