What is the result of complete failure to produce erythropoietin?

The correct answer is anemia, which occurs as a direct consequence of the inability to produce sufficient erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is a hormone primarily produced by the kidneys, and its primary function is to stimulate the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. When the kidneys fail to produce erythropoietin, the bone marrow receives little to no stimulus to enhance red blood cell production, leading to a reduced number of red blood cells in circulation.

Anemia is characterized by a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin, which can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pallor because of inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. Without erythropoietin, the body cannot maintain its red blood cell count, and this deficiency is what ultimately leads to the clinical manifestation of anemia.

Other options such as increased blood volume, hematoma formation, and increased blood pressure do not directly result from a lack of erythropoietin. In fact, anemia would typically be associated with a decreased blood volume as the number of red blood cells declines. Moreover, hematoma formation is related to bleeding or clotting disorders and is not influenced by erythropoietin levels. Lastly, decreased red blood cell levels could