A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of an eight-month-old infant who is newly diagnosed with leukemia. Their most recent platelet count is 120,000/mm3 (200,000 to 475,000/mm3). Which of the following provider prescriptions should the nurse anticipate?

A. Iron deficiency anemia: Whole milk is a poor source of iron, and excessive consumption of whole milk can displace iron-rich foods from the diet. Therefore, a toddler who consumes a large amount of whole milk and has a poor appetite is at risk for iron deficiency anemia due to inadequate iron intake. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by low levels of iron in the body, leading to decreased production of red blood cells and impaired oxygen transport.

B. Vitamin A toxicity: While excessive intake of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, it is unlikely to occur from consuming whole milk alone. Vitamin A toxicity is more commonly associated with excessive intake of vitamin A supplements or foods that are rich in preformed vitamin A, such as liver. Therefore, vitamin A toxicity is not a significant risk for a toddler who drinks whole milk.

C. Impaired carbohydrate metabolism: There is no direct relationship between whole milk consumption and impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Impaired carbohydrate metabolism is typically associated with conditions such as diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome, rather than dietary factors like milk consumption.

D. Lactose intolerance: Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. While excessive consumption of whole milk may exacerbate symptoms in a child with lactose intolerance, it is not a risk factor for developing lactose intolerance itself. Lactose intolerance is more commonly observed in individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds or those with a genetic predisposition.

A. "Expect the medication to cause constipation for the first few days of therapy.": This statement is incorrect. Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and nausea, especially when therapy is initiated. Constipation is not typically associated with metformin use.

B. "Take the medication at the same time each day.": This is a correct instruction. It is important for the adolescent to take metformin at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels of the medication and optimize its effectiveness.

C. "This medication is used for short-term therapy until your symptoms improve.": This statement is incorrect. Metformin is typically used for long-term management of type 2 diabetes mellitus to help control blood sugar levels. It is not intended for short-term therapy.

D. "Take this medication 1 hour before meals.": This statement is incorrect. While metformin can be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, it is not necessary to take it specifically 1 hour before meals. It can be taken with meals or shortly after meals.