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Nursing 354 Anemia Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a client with iron-deficiency anemia. Which finding is
most characteristic of this condition?
A. Jaundice
B. Fatigue and weakness
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Fatigue and weakness
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity,
resulting in fatigue, weakness, decreased activity tolerance, and shortness of
breath.
2. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anemia?
A. Increased serum ferritin
B. Increased hemoglobin
C. Decreased serum ferritin
D. Increased mean corpuscular volume
Answer: Decreased serum ferritin
,Rationale: Serum ferritin reflects stored iron. Low ferritin is a common and
useful indicator of depleted iron stores.
3. A client is prescribed oral ferrous sulfate. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Take it with milk.
B. Take it with an antacid.
C. Take it only at bedtime.
D. Take it with vitamin C or orange juice if tolerated.
Answer: Take it with vitamin C or orange juice if tolerated.
Rationale: Vitamin C enhances intestinal absorption of non-heme iron. Calcium-
containing products and antacids can reduce iron absorption.
4. Which adverse effect should the nurse anticipate in a client taking oral iron
supplements?
A. Severe hypoglycemia
B. Constipation and dark stools
C. Excessive urination
D. Hearing loss
Answer: Constipation and dark stools
Rationale: Oral iron commonly causes gastrointestinal effects such as
constipation, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and dark or greenish-black stools.
5. Which type of anemia is characterized by abnormally large red blood cells?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Aplastic anemia
C. Megaloblastic anemia
D. Sickle cell anemia
Answer: Megaloblastic anemia
,Rationale: Megaloblastic anemia results from impaired DNA synthesis and
produces large, immature red blood cells, commonly because of vitamin B12 or
folate deficiency.
6. A client has pernicious anemia. Which nutrient deficiency is primarily
responsible?
A. Iron
B. Vitamin K
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin C
Answer: Vitamin B12
Rationale: Pernicious anemia results from impaired absorption of vitamin B12
due to a lack of intrinsic factor.
7. Which assessment finding is particularly concerning in a client with vitamin
B12 deficiency?
A. Dry skin
B. Mild constipation
C. Numbness and tingling of the extremities
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Numbness and tingling of the extremities
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurologic manifestations,
including paresthesias, weakness, impaired balance, and other neurologic
changes.
8. Which medication is commonly prescribed for a client with pernicious
anemia?
A. Oral calcium carbonate
B. Vitamin B12 replacement
C. Oral potassium chloride
D. Vitamin K
, Answer: Vitamin B12 replacement
Rationale: Clients with pernicious anemia require vitamin B12 replacement,
often by injection or another formulation appropriate for impaired absorption.
9. Which dietary choice is highest in iron?
A. White rice
B. Applesauce
C. Lean red meat
D. Iceberg lettuce
Answer: Lean red meat
Rationale: Heme iron found in meat, poultry, and seafood is generally more
readily absorbed than non-heme iron found in plant foods.
10.A client with severe anemia reports shortness of breath while walking.
What is the nurse's priority?
A. Encourage vigorous exercise.
B. Restrict oral fluids.
C. Assess oxygenation and activity tolerance.
D. Place the client flat in bed.
Answer: Assess oxygenation and activity tolerance.
Rationale: Reduced oxygen-carrying capacity can cause dyspnea and decreased
exercise tolerance. The nurse should assess respiratory status and oxygenation
and modify activity as appropriate.
11.Which finding is commonly associated with anemia?
A. Hypertension
B. Pallor
C. Hyperactivity
D. Increased body temperature
Answer: Pallor
Nursing 354 Anemia Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. A nurse is assessing a client with iron-deficiency anemia. Which finding is
most characteristic of this condition?
A. Jaundice
B. Fatigue and weakness
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Fatigue and weakness
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity,
resulting in fatigue, weakness, decreased activity tolerance, and shortness of
breath.
2. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anemia?
A. Increased serum ferritin
B. Increased hemoglobin
C. Decreased serum ferritin
D. Increased mean corpuscular volume
Answer: Decreased serum ferritin
,Rationale: Serum ferritin reflects stored iron. Low ferritin is a common and
useful indicator of depleted iron stores.
3. A client is prescribed oral ferrous sulfate. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Take it with milk.
B. Take it with an antacid.
C. Take it only at bedtime.
D. Take it with vitamin C or orange juice if tolerated.
Answer: Take it with vitamin C or orange juice if tolerated.
Rationale: Vitamin C enhances intestinal absorption of non-heme iron. Calcium-
containing products and antacids can reduce iron absorption.
4. Which adverse effect should the nurse anticipate in a client taking oral iron
supplements?
A. Severe hypoglycemia
B. Constipation and dark stools
C. Excessive urination
D. Hearing loss
Answer: Constipation and dark stools
Rationale: Oral iron commonly causes gastrointestinal effects such as
constipation, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and dark or greenish-black stools.
5. Which type of anemia is characterized by abnormally large red blood cells?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Aplastic anemia
C. Megaloblastic anemia
D. Sickle cell anemia
Answer: Megaloblastic anemia
,Rationale: Megaloblastic anemia results from impaired DNA synthesis and
produces large, immature red blood cells, commonly because of vitamin B12 or
folate deficiency.
6. A client has pernicious anemia. Which nutrient deficiency is primarily
responsible?
A. Iron
B. Vitamin K
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin C
Answer: Vitamin B12
Rationale: Pernicious anemia results from impaired absorption of vitamin B12
due to a lack of intrinsic factor.
7. Which assessment finding is particularly concerning in a client with vitamin
B12 deficiency?
A. Dry skin
B. Mild constipation
C. Numbness and tingling of the extremities
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Numbness and tingling of the extremities
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurologic manifestations,
including paresthesias, weakness, impaired balance, and other neurologic
changes.
8. Which medication is commonly prescribed for a client with pernicious
anemia?
A. Oral calcium carbonate
B. Vitamin B12 replacement
C. Oral potassium chloride
D. Vitamin K
, Answer: Vitamin B12 replacement
Rationale: Clients with pernicious anemia require vitamin B12 replacement,
often by injection or another formulation appropriate for impaired absorption.
9. Which dietary choice is highest in iron?
A. White rice
B. Applesauce
C. Lean red meat
D. Iceberg lettuce
Answer: Lean red meat
Rationale: Heme iron found in meat, poultry, and seafood is generally more
readily absorbed than non-heme iron found in plant foods.
10.A client with severe anemia reports shortness of breath while walking.
What is the nurse's priority?
A. Encourage vigorous exercise.
B. Restrict oral fluids.
C. Assess oxygenation and activity tolerance.
D. Place the client flat in bed.
Answer: Assess oxygenation and activity tolerance.
Rationale: Reduced oxygen-carrying capacity can cause dyspnea and decreased
exercise tolerance. The nurse should assess respiratory status and oxygenation
and modify activity as appropriate.
11.Which finding is commonly associated with anemia?
A. Hypertension
B. Pallor
C. Hyperactivity
D. Increased body temperature
Answer: Pallor
