A patient with thalassemia major who is receiving a blood transfusion shows signs of hemochromatosis.
The nurse anticipates a prescription for which medication?

Choice A rationale:

Methotrexate is a medication used for cancer and autoimmune diseases. It does not chelate iron and is not used to treat iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis.

Choice B rationale:

Deferoxamine is an iron chelating agent used to treat iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis. It binds to excess iron and promotes its excretion from the body, preventing complications such as organ damage.

Choice C rationale:

Ferrous gluconate is an iron supplement used to treat iron deficiency anemia. It would not be appropriate for a patient with hemochromatosis, a condition characterized by iron overload.

Choice D rationale:

Iron dextran complex is another form of intravenous iron used to treat iron deficiency anemia. It is not indicated for treating iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis.

Choice A rationale:

Adequate platelet production does not explain the prolonged bleeding times in von Willebrand disease. These patients often have normal platelet counts, but their platelets do not function properly due to the absence or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor.

Choice B rationale:

Deficiency in intrinsic clotting system factor is not the primary cause of prolonged bleeding times in von Willebrand disease. The deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps platelets adhere to the blood vessel walls and clot properly, is the key issue in this disorder.

Choice C rationale:

Impairment of the thrombin fibrinogen reaction does not directly relate to von Willebrand disease. This disorder primarily involves platelet dysfunction and variable factor VIII deficiencies, leading to prolonged bleeding times.

Choice D rationale:

Variable factor VIII deficiencies and platelet dysfunction are characteristic of von Willebrand disease. Factor VIII helps with blood clotting, and its deficiency, along with impaired platelet function, contributes to the prolonged bleeding times in patients with von Willebrand disease.