A nurse is assisting in the care of a toddler who has been taking oral ferrous sulfate drops for iron deficiency anemia. Which of the following data collection findings indicates that the medication is effective?
Weight loss
Decreased hemoglobin
Pica
Tarry, green stools
The Correct Answer is D
Monitoring response to iron therapy in a toddler with iron deficiency anemia involves evaluating hematologic improvement and expected physiologic effects of iron supplementation. Oral iron preparations such as Ferrous sulfate are used to restore iron stores and support hemoglobin synthesis. As iron levels normalize, expected therapeutic effects include improved oxygen-carrying capacity and characteristic benign gastrointestinal changes. Nurses must distinguish therapeutic effects from signs of worsening anemia or adverse reactions.
Rationale:
A. Weight loss indicates worsening nutritional status and is not an expected outcome of effective iron therapy. In iron deficiency anemia, effective treatment should support improved energy levels, appetite, and overall growth in toddlers. Continued or worsening weight loss suggests inadequate treatment response or ongoing underlying nutritional deficiency.
B. Decreased hemoglobin reflects worsening anemia rather than improvement. Effective iron therapy should result in rising hemoglobin levels as iron is incorporated into hemoglobin molecules. A decline indicates treatment failure, poor absorption, nonadherence, or ongoing blood loss.
C. Pica, the ingestion of non-food substances, is commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia and should decrease with effective treatment. Persistence of pica suggests ongoing iron deficiency and inadequate therapeutic response. Therefore, its presence does not indicate medication effectiveness.
D. Tarry, green stools are a common and expected side effect of oral iron therapy and indicate that iron is being ingested and excreted appropriately. These stool changes occur due to unabsorbed iron and oxidation processes in the gastrointestinal tract. In the context of treatment with Ferrous sulfate, this finding supports that the medication is being taken and processed, and is consistent with therapeutic use rather than harm.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Supporting families of clients newly diagnosed with depression involves therapeutic communication that promotes understanding, reduces anxiety, and assesses knowledge gaps. Depression is a complex mental health condition influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, and recovery timelines vary widely depending on severity, treatment adherence, and individual response to therapy. Nurses should avoid giving false reassurance or vague predictions and instead engage the family in dialogue that helps tailor education to their needs. Effective communication strengthens coping and improves support for the client.
Rationale:
A. Providing generalized statements about improvement in other clients is non-therapeutic because it may create unrealistic expectations and does not address the partner’s specific concerns. Each client’s response to treatment for Major depressive disorder is individualized, so comparing outcomes can be misleading and unhelpful.
B. Stating that no one knows the answer may be truthful but is abrupt and non-therapeutic. It can increase anxiety and leave the partner without support or direction. Nursing communication should remain supportive while guiding the family toward understanding and coping.
C. Focusing only on the importance of improvement minimizes the partner’s concern about prognosis and does not provide education or emotional support. This type of response may shut down further discussion and fail to address the family’s need for information about recovery expectations.
D. Asking what the partner knows about depression is a therapeutic communication technique that assesses baseline understanding and allows the nurse to provide individualized education. It encourages dialogue, clarifies misconceptions, and supports emotional processing. This approach fosters engagement and helps build a realistic understanding of recovery.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Safe disposal of insulin syringes is essential to prevent needlestick injuries, transmission of bloodborne pathogens, and environmental contamination. Clients using injectable medications such as insulin must follow proper sharps disposal practices at home. Nursing teaching focuses on using approved containers that prevent needle injury and ensuring safe transport and disposal according to local regulations. Proper education promotes safety for the client, family members, and waste handlers.
Rationale:
A. Placing used syringes in a clear plastic bag and household trash is unsafe because thin plastic does not prevent needle punctures. This places family members, sanitation workers, and others at risk of needlestick injury and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Sharps must never be discarded in regular household waste.
B. Removing the needle from the syringe before disposal is incorrect because it increases the risk of accidental needlestick injury. The syringe and needle should be disposed of together in a secure container without manipulation after use. Handling used needles unnecessarily compromises safety.
C. Collecting used syringes in a marked biohazard bag is not appropriate for home use because these bags are typically used in healthcare facilities with regulated disposal systems. Most clients are instructed to use FDA-approved or community-approved sharps containers rather than biohazard bags. Home disposal systems prioritize puncture resistance over labeling alone.
D. Disposing of used syringes in a puncture-proof container is correct because it prevents needles from penetrating the container and causing injury. This aligns with safe home injection practices for clients using insulin in conditions such as Diabetes mellitus. Approved sharps containers ensure safe storage until proper disposal is arranged through community or healthcare systems.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.