A person with anemia is prescribed erythropoietin subcutaneously. The nurse knows that erythropoietin:

Choice A is correct because maintaining a regular sleep routine can help regulate your circadian rhythm, which is your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This can improve the quality and quantity of your sleep and reduce daytime sleepiness.

Choice B is wrong because eating three large meals a day can cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which can affect your energy levels. It is better to eat smaller, more frequent meals and snacks that contain a balance of protein and carbohydrates to keep your blood sugar stable and provide sustained energy. Choice C is correct because limiting refined sugar, fried foods and processed foods can help prevent fatigue by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.

These foods can also cause spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels, which can make you feel tired and hungry. Instead, you should eat more anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and fish.

Choice D is correct because taking daily walks can help prevent fatigue by increasing your blood circulation, oxygen delivery and endorphin production. Exercise can also improve your mood, sleep quality and immune system.

Choice E is wrong because increasing caffeine intake can have the opposite effect of preventing fatigue.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can temporarily boost your energy levels, but it can also disrupt your sleep, cause dehydration, increase anxiety and lead to withdrawal symptoms

Withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned. This is because the client may have postoperative ileus (POI), which is a reduction of gastrointestinal motility after abdominal surgery. POI is characterized by abdominal distension, lack of bowel sounds, accumulation of gas and fluids in the bowel, and delayed passage of flatus and stools.

Giving food and fluids to a client with POI may worsen the condition and cause complications.

Choice A is wrong because high fat foods may slow down GI motility and increase the risk of constipation.

Choice B is wrong because solid food intake may also aggravate POI and cause abdominal discomfort.

Choice C is wrong because fiber intake may increase gas production and distension in the bowel. The nurse should auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds, and if they are present, or the client reports passing flatus, clear fluids can commence, and aperients can be administered. However, bowel sounds are not a reliable indicator of the end of POI, as they may not be associated with the time of first flatus.

Therefore, withholding food and oral fluids until intestinal mobility has returned is the most appropriate action by the nurse.