A client with rheumatoid arthritis is starting etanercept. Which data should the nurse collect?

A client with rheumatoid arthritis is starting etanercept. Which data should the nurse collect?

• A. Serum calcium
• B. The white blood cell and platelet counts
• C. Blood glucose
• D. Serum creatinine

Answer: (B)

Etanercept is a biologic DMARD that reduces inflammation by inhibiting TNF, but this immune suppression can raise the risk of infections and affect blood cell production. Therefore, monitoring white blood cell counts with differential and platelets is essential before and during therapy to detect neutropenia or thrombocytopenia that could signal infection risk or bone marrow suppression. Baseline CBC and periodic monitoring help ensure safety and guide ongoing treatment. Serum calcium, glucose, and creatinine are not the primary safety concerns with starting etanercept, so they don’t provide the essential information needed to assess risk in this context.

Etanercept is a biologic DMARD that reduces inflammation by inhibiting TNF, but this immune suppression can raise the risk of infections and affect blood cell production. Therefore, monitoring white blood cell counts with differential and platelets is essential before and during therapy to detect neutropenia or thrombocytopenia that could signal infection risk or bone marrow suppression. Baseline CBC and periodic monitoring help ensure safety and guide ongoing treatment. Serum calcium, glucose, and creatinine are not the primary safety concerns with starting etanercept, so they don’t provide the essential information needed to assess risk in this context.