A nurse is caring for a client who has lymphoma and is receiving chemotherapy that causes thrombocytopenia. Which of the following drugs should the nurse administer to the client to stimulate the production of platelets in the bone marrow?
Epoetin alfa (Epogen)
Filgrastim (Neupogen)
Sargramostim (Leukine)
Oprelvekin (Neumega)
Answer and Rationale
The Correct Answer is D.
Choice A reason:
Epoetin alfa (Epogen) is a drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, not platelets⁴. It is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy, chronic kidney disease, or other conditions.
Choice B reason:
Filgrastim (Neupogen) is a drug that stimulates the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow, not platelets⁴. It is used to prevent or treat neutropenia caused by chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, or other conditions.
Choice C reason:
Sargramostim (Leukine) is a drug that stimulates the production of white blood cells and red blood cells in the bone marrow, not platelets⁴. It is used to prevent or treat neutropenia caused by chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, or other conditions.
Choice D reason:
Oprelvekin (Neumega) is a drug that stimulates the production of platelets in the bone marrow⁴. It is used to prevent or treat thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy. It works by mimicking the action of thrombopoietin, a hormone that regulates platelet development.
