NUR 4445 Hematology & Immune System
1. What is anemia?
Answer
A reduction in hemoglobin two standard deviations below the mean, based on age-specific
norms
2. What is a PC of iron deficiency anemia? When do we start screening for this?
Answer
- most common anemia in children
- Cognitive & motor deficits are risk
- All screened at 9-12 months
- Annually after 12 months if suspicion
3. What children are at risk for iron deficiency anemia (4)?
Answer
•Premature infants
• Infants fed formula that is not iron fortified
• Infants exclusively breastfed > 4 months
• Teenage girls
4. What are some iron rich foods (12)?
Answer
- dried fruits/legumes
- nuts
- green leafy veggies
- iron fortified breads/flour
- poultry
- red meat
- quinoa
- egg yolk
- broccoli
- grains
, - shellfish
- Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently so things like kiwi, oranges, lemon,
strawberries, bell pepper, tomatoes.
5. What med do we give for iron deficiency anemia? How should a patient take this med? How
long do we give it for and how do we evaluate effectiveness of treatment?
Answer
•Ferrous sulfate 3-6 mg/kg/day of elemental iron divided bid
- Give on an empty stomach with citrus
- Use a straw to prevent staining of teeth
• Treat for 3-6 months
- Recheck hgb about 6 weeks after treatment is started
6. What are the side effects of ferrous sulfate (6)?
Answer
- nausea
- constipation
- green, tarry stools
- GI upset
- vomiting
- staining teeth
7. How much iron should we give girls & boys 9-13 years with iron deficiency anemia?
Answer
8 mg iron/day
8. How do we treat iron deficiency anemia in boys 14-18 years 19-21 years?
Answer
- for adolescents, increase iron to make myoglobin for expanding muscle mass
- Expansion of blood volume requires more hgb
- Ages 14-18 years
1. What is anemia?
Answer
A reduction in hemoglobin two standard deviations below the mean, based on age-specific
norms
2. What is a PC of iron deficiency anemia? When do we start screening for this?
Answer
- most common anemia in children
- Cognitive & motor deficits are risk
- All screened at 9-12 months
- Annually after 12 months if suspicion
3. What children are at risk for iron deficiency anemia (4)?
Answer
•Premature infants
• Infants fed formula that is not iron fortified
• Infants exclusively breastfed > 4 months
• Teenage girls
4. What are some iron rich foods (12)?
Answer
- dried fruits/legumes
- nuts
- green leafy veggies
- iron fortified breads/flour
- poultry
- red meat
- quinoa
- egg yolk
- broccoli
- grains
, - shellfish
- Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently so things like kiwi, oranges, lemon,
strawberries, bell pepper, tomatoes.
5. What med do we give for iron deficiency anemia? How should a patient take this med? How
long do we give it for and how do we evaluate effectiveness of treatment?
Answer
•Ferrous sulfate 3-6 mg/kg/day of elemental iron divided bid
- Give on an empty stomach with citrus
- Use a straw to prevent staining of teeth
• Treat for 3-6 months
- Recheck hgb about 6 weeks after treatment is started
6. What are the side effects of ferrous sulfate (6)?
Answer
- nausea
- constipation
- green, tarry stools
- GI upset
- vomiting
- staining teeth
7. How much iron should we give girls & boys 9-13 years with iron deficiency anemia?
Answer
8 mg iron/day
8. How do we treat iron deficiency anemia in boys 14-18 years 19-21 years?
Answer
- for adolescents, increase iron to make myoglobin for expanding muscle mass
- Expansion of blood volume requires more hgb
- Ages 14-18 years
