Which of the following gastrointestinal adverse effects may occur ...

[ap345]

Which of the following gastrointestinal adverse effects may occur in patients using iron supple-ments?
 
  a. Stools may be green and test falsely negative for occult blood.
  b. Stools may be black and test falsely positive for occult blood.
  c. Stools may be dark red and test falsely positive for occult blood.
  d. Stools may be dark brown or black and test falsely negative for occult blood.

Question 2

A deficiency in which of the following elements could decrease the efficacy of drug therapy with epoetin alfa (Epogen)?
 
  a. Phosphorus
  b. Calcium
  c. Iron
  d. Magnesium

[Sammyo]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
In patients taking iron supplements, occult blood in stools may be obscured by the black colora-tion of iron in stool. Guaiac test results may occasionally be false-positive.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Before starting therapy, evaluate the patient's iron status, because the efficacy of epoetin alfa is decreased if iron stores are insufficient to promote erythropoiesis.

[ap345]

TYSM

[chereeb]

Excellent