Chapter 55 Anemia Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient is to receive iron dextran (Dexiron®) injections. What should the nurse use to administer
this medication?
a. Intravenous (IV) injection mixed with 5% dextrose
b. Intramuscular (IM) injection in the upper arm
c. IM injection using the Z-track method
d. Subcutaneous injection with a half-inch, 29-gauge needle
ANS C
With the Z-track method, IM iron should be given deep into a large muscle mass.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
2. A patient is prescribed oral iron supplementation. What should the nurse tell the patient to do while
on this treatment?
a. Take the iron tablets with milk or antacids.
b. Crush the pills as needed to help swallowing.
c. Avoid reclining positions for up to 30 minutes after taking the drug.
d. You do not need to eat foods that are high in iron, such as meat, dark green leafy vegetables,
and dried beans.
ANS C
To prevent esophageal irritation or corrosion, patients on an iron supplement should avoid reclining
positions for 15 to 30 minutes after taking the drug. Antacids and milk may cause decreased iron
absorption; iron tablets should be taken whole and not crushed; and clients should continue to eat
foods high in iron.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
3. What may occur as a result of therapy with iron preparations?
a. Palpitations
b. Dizziness and syncope
, c. Black and red tarry stools
d. Yellow discoloration of the urine
ANS C
Black and red tarry stools and other gastrointestinal disturbances may occur as a result of taking iron
preparations.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. A patient has been taking iron supplements for anemia for 4 weeks. Which therapeutic response
should the patient be taught to watch for?
a. Decreased weight b.
Absence of fatigue
c. Decreased palpitations
d. Decreased visual disturbances
ANS B
Absence of fatigue, increased activity tolerance and well-being, and increased nutritional status are
therapeutic responses to iron supplementation.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
5. Before administering iron supplements, the nurse should assess for which contraindication?
a. Poor nutrition
b. Hemolytic anemia
c. Weakness and fatigue d.
Decreased hemoglobin
ANS B
Hemolytic anemia is a contraindication to the use of iron supplements. Poor nutrition, weakness and
fatigue, and decreased hemoglobin are related to iron deficiency anemia.
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient is to receive iron dextran (Dexiron®) injections. What should the nurse use to administer
this medication?
a. Intravenous (IV) injection mixed with 5% dextrose
b. Intramuscular (IM) injection in the upper arm
c. IM injection using the Z-track method
d. Subcutaneous injection with a half-inch, 29-gauge needle
ANS C
With the Z-track method, IM iron should be given deep into a large muscle mass.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
2. A patient is prescribed oral iron supplementation. What should the nurse tell the patient to do while
on this treatment?
a. Take the iron tablets with milk or antacids.
b. Crush the pills as needed to help swallowing.
c. Avoid reclining positions for up to 30 minutes after taking the drug.
d. You do not need to eat foods that are high in iron, such as meat, dark green leafy vegetables,
and dried beans.
ANS C
To prevent esophageal irritation or corrosion, patients on an iron supplement should avoid reclining
positions for 15 to 30 minutes after taking the drug. Antacids and milk may cause decreased iron
absorption; iron tablets should be taken whole and not crushed; and clients should continue to eat
foods high in iron.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
3. What may occur as a result of therapy with iron preparations?
a. Palpitations
b. Dizziness and syncope
, c. Black and red tarry stools
d. Yellow discoloration of the urine
ANS C
Black and red tarry stools and other gastrointestinal disturbances may occur as a result of taking iron
preparations.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. A patient has been taking iron supplements for anemia for 4 weeks. Which therapeutic response
should the patient be taught to watch for?
a. Decreased weight b.
Absence of fatigue
c. Decreased palpitations
d. Decreased visual disturbances
ANS B
Absence of fatigue, increased activity tolerance and well-being, and increased nutritional status are
therapeutic responses to iron supplementation.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
5. Before administering iron supplements, the nurse should assess for which contraindication?
a. Poor nutrition
b. Hemolytic anemia
c. Weakness and fatigue d.
Decreased hemoglobin
ANS B
Hemolytic anemia is a contraindication to the use of iron supplements. Poor nutrition, weakness and
fatigue, and decreased hemoglobin are related to iron deficiency anemia.
