A nurse is assessing a client with iron-deficiency anemia.
Which statement by the client is indicative of their condition?
"I've been experiencing frequent nosebleeds lately.”
"I've been eating a lot of leafy greens in my diet.”
"I've had a fever for the past week.”
"I've been feeling more energetic than usual.”
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The client's statement, "I've been experiencing frequent nosebleeds lately," is indicative of iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells.
When there is a deficiency of iron, the blood vessels in the nose can become fragile, leading to frequent nosebleeds.
This is a common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia.
Choice B rationale:
The client's statement, "I've been eating a lot of leafy greens in my diet," is not indicative of iron-deficiency anemia.
In fact, consuming leafy greens is a good dietary source of iron, which can help prevent iron deficiency.
Choice C rationale:
The client's statement, "I've had a fever for the past week," is not indicative of iron-deficiency anemia.
Fever is typically associated with infections or inflammatory conditions, not anemia.
Choice D rationale:
The client's statement, "I've been feeling more energetic than usual," is not indicative of iron-deficiency anemia.
In fact, one of the hallmark symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia is fatigue and a lack of energy due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Elevated serum iron levels are not consistent with iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron-deficiency anemia is characterized by low serum iron levels, as the body lacks sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin.
In this case, the client mentions that their serum iron levels are within the normal range, which does not align with the typical findings of iron-deficiency anemia.
Choice B rationale:
Transferrin saturation measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin in the blood.
In iron-deficiency anemia, transferrin saturation is typically below 20% because there is insufficient iron available for binding to transferrin.
Therefore, the statement that "My transferrin saturation is above 20%" is inconsistent with the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia.
Choice C rationale:
Serum ferritin is a key indicator of iron stores in the body.
In iron-deficiency anemia, serum ferritin levels are significantly decreased because the body has depleted its iron stores to maintain essential functions like hemoglobin synthesis.
Therefore, the statement "My serum ferritin is significantly elevated" contradicts the typical laboratory findings of iron-deficiency anemia.
Choice D rationale:
The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are both red blood cell indices.
In iron-deficiency anemia, these indices are often decreased, resulting in microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) red blood cells.
Therefore, the statement "My MCV and MCHC are both within the normal range" does not align with the characteristic findings of iron-deficiency anemia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
To correct the underlying cause of iron deficiency.
The primary goal of treatment and management for a client with iron-deficiency anemia is to correct the underlying cause of iron deficiency.
This may involve addressing dietary deficiencies, identifying and treating gastrointestinal bleeding, or managing chronic conditions that contribute to iron loss.
Correcting the underlying cause is essential for long-term management.
Choice B rationale:
To restore normal hemoglobin and iron levels.
Restoring normal hemoglobin and iron levels is certainly a goal of treatment for iron-deficiency anemia, but it is not the primary goal.
Normalizing hemoglobin and iron levels is a means to an end, with the ultimate goal being to correct the underlying cause of the deficiency.
Choice C rationale:
To prevent or treat complications of anemia.
Preventing or treating complications of anemia is an important aspect of management, but it is not the primary goal.
Complications such as fatigue, weakness, and impaired oxygen delivery are addressed through the correction of the underlying iron deficiency.
Choice D rationale:
To provide immediate relief of anemia symptoms.
Providing immediate relief of anemia symptoms is a short-term goal of treatment, but it is not the primary goal.
The primary focus should be on addressing the root cause of iron deficiency to achieve long-term improvement in the patient's overall health and well-being.
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