A nurse is reviewing agency protocol prior to administering epoetin alfa to a client who has chronic kidney disease. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Shake the vial of medication to dissolve particulates: Epoetin alfa should not be shaken, as vigorous shaking can denature the protein and reduce its effectiveness. The medication should be gently swirled if needed. B. Thaw the medication in the vial 30 min before administration: Thawing epoetin alfa is not typically required if stored properly; it should be brought to room temperature gradually, not rapidly, to maintain stability. C. Discard the vial of medication if the solution is cloudy: Epoetin alfa should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Cloudiness, discoloration, or particulate matter indicates contamination or denaturation, and the vial should be discarded to ensure patient safety. D. Dilute the vial of medication with sterile water: Epoetin alfa is administered undiluted either subcutaneously or intravenously. Diluting it with sterile water is not recommended and can affect dosing accuracy and stability.