Thrombocytopenia TOP Study Guide Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers

The nurse reviews the history of an older patient and notes increased fatigue, headache, pale skin, and glossitis. The nurse suspects the patient has microcytic, hypochromic anemia and should provide what teaching? 1 Take enteric-coated iron with each meal. 2 Take cobalamin with green leafy vegetables. 3 Take the iron with orange juice one hour before meals. 4 Decrease the intake of the antiseizure medications to improve. - Correct3 With microcytic, hypochromic anemia, there may be an iron, B6, or copper deficiency, thalassemia, or lead poisoning. The iron prescribed should be taken with orange juice one hour before meals as it is absorbed best in an acid environment. Megaloblastic anemias occur with cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folic acid deficiencies. Vitamin B12 may help red blood cell (RBC) maturation if the patient has the intrinsic factor in the stomach. Green leafy vegetables provide folic acid for RBC maturation. Antiseizure drugs may contribute to aplastic anemia or folic acid deficiency, but the patient should not stop taking the medications. Changes in medications will be prescribed by the health care provider.