A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of a client who has chronic renal failure and is to receive epoetin alfa subcutaneously. Which of the following values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?

A. WBC: WBC count is used to evaluate the immune system and infection risk, but it is not relevant for assessing the effectiveness of epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia, not infections. B. Hemoglobin: Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, which is primarily used to treat anemia in clients with chronic renal failure. The therapeutic goal of epoetin alfa is to increase the client's hemoglobin level. Monitoring hemoglobin levels is essential to assess the effectiveness of the medication, as it indicates whether the client is producing enough red blood cells. C. Glucose: Glucose levels are not directly impacted by epoetin alfa. While glucose control is important in clients with chronic renal failure, it is not a measure of the effectiveness of epoetin alfa. D. Sodium: Sodium levels are important for fluid and electrolyte balance but do not directly reflect the effectiveness of epoetin alfa in treating anemia.