A client has recently started ferrous sulfate 500 mg by mouth two times per day for anemia. Which of the following data would indicate to the nurse that the therapy is successful?

A. Neutrophils 57%: This value reflects the percentage of neutrophils in the white blood cell count and does not specifically indicate the effectiveness of iron therapy. It is more related to the body’s immune response.

B. International Normalized Ratio (INR) 13 seconds: INR is a measure of blood coagulation and is not directly related to iron levels or the treatment of anemia. Therefore, this result does not indicate the success of ferrous sulfate therapy.

C. Total reticulocyte count 2.2% of total RBC count: An increased reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is producing more red blood cells, which is a positive response to iron supplementation. A reticulocyte count around this percentage suggests an appropriate response to therapy for iron deficiency anemia.

D. Platelet count 250,000/µL: This is a normal platelet count and does not provide information specific to the effectiveness of iron therapy. It does not reflect the state of anemia or the response to iron supplementation.

A. The client is retaining fluids and will need a fluid restriction: While fluid retention can occur with certain medications, the specific symptoms of tingling lips and edema suggest a different issue, making this option less relevant.

B. The client has developed an expected side effect of the medication: Tingling of the lips and lip edema are not typical expected side effects of losartan. This medication can cause side effects like dizziness or hypotension, but angioedema is a serious concern that can occur.

C. The client is experiencing angioedema and notifies the healthcare provider: This is the most appropriate interpretation of the symptoms. Angioedema is a potentially serious allergic reaction that can occur with medications such as losartan, which is an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Immediate notification of the healthcare provider is crucial for further evaluation and management.

D. The client will need to have the dose of the medication reduced: While reducing the dose might be considered in some cases of side effects, the symptoms described indicate a potentially severe reaction that requires immediate attention rather than simply adjusting the dosage.