A patient was given a 30-day supply of Feosol and has been taking ...

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A patient was given a 30-day supply of Feosol and has been taking the drug for 4 weeks for iron deficiency anemia. The patient's initial hemoglobin was 8.9 gm/dL. The nurse notes that the hemoglobin has risen to 9.7 gm/dL.
 
  What will the nurse ask the patient about?
  a. Dietary iron intake
  b. Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
  c. Whether stools have been tarry or black
  d. Whether the prescription needs to be refilled

Question 2

A nurse is reviewing a patient's most recent blood count and notes that the patient has a hemoglobin of 9.6 gm/dL and a hematocrit of 33. The nurse will notify the provider and will expect initial treatment to include:
 
  a. determining the cause of the anemia.
  b. giving intravenous iron dextran.
  c. giving oral carbonyl iron (Feosol).
  d. teaching about dietary iron.

[Ashley I]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
When therapy is successful, the hemoglobin level increases by 2 gm/dL within 1 month. If the hemoglobin does not increase as expected, patients should be asked about compliance. If a patient reports that the prescription does not need to be refilled, the medication probably has not been taken as prescribed. Dietary iron intake is not a part of iron replacement therapy but is an important part of the prevention of anemia. GI upset and tarry, black stools are expected side effects of iron products.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Before therapy for iron deficiency anemia is started, the cause must be determined so that the appropriate treatment is given. Oral iron is safer and, most of the time, as effective as parenteral iron, so IV iron is not an initial choice. Oral iron will be given once the cause of the deficiency has been determined. Patients who are iron deficient should be taught about dietary iron, but this is not part of the initial treatment when a deficiency is detected.

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TYSM

[steff9894]

Excellent