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Pathophysiology of Iron-deficiency Anemia:

  • Iron deficiency causes a decrease in the production and maturation of RBCs in the bone marrow.
  • The bone marrow tries to compensate by producing more immature RBCs called reticulocytes.
  • However, these reticulocytes are also deficient in iron and hemoglobin and cannot function properly.
  • As a result, the blood has fewer and smaller RBCs with less hemoglobin than normal.
  • This leads to a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and tissue hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the tissues).
  • The body tries to adapt to the hypoxia by increasing the heart rate, cardiac output, and respiratory rate.
  • However, these compensatory mechanisms are not sufficient to meet the oxygen demand of the tissues and organs.
  • This causes various symptoms and complications of iron-deficiency anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, headache, angina, heart failure, and impaired cognitive and immune function.

Questions on Pathophysiology of Iron-deficiency Anemia:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The client's statement, "I've been feeling more energetic than usual," is not indicative of iron-deficiency anemia. In fact, one of the hallmark symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia is fatigue and a lack of energy due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse's statement, "Excessive iron loss can occur due to pregnancy and lactation," is partially accurate. Pregnancy and lactation can lead to increased iron requirements, but they do not directly cause excessive iron loss. Iron loss through menstruation is a more common cause of iron deficiency in women.

Correct Answer is ["A","D"]

Explanation

Poikilocytosis refers to a condition where RBCs have abnormal shapes. Like anisocytosis, poikilocytosis is not a specific type of anemia but can be observed in various anemias, including sickle cell anemia, where RBCs take on a characteristic crescent shape.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Bone marrow disorder Bone marrow disorders, such as aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, can lead to anemia by affecting the production of RBCs in the bone marrow. However, these disorders do not typically involve increased RBC destruction. Instead, they result in a decreased production of RBCs, leading to anemia. Therefore, a bone marrow disorder is not the correct choice for the cause of anemia in this client.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Enhanced immune function Enhanced immune function would not be a direct cause of symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and headache in a client with anemia. While anemia can weaken the immune system to some extent, it does not lead to enhanced immune function that would result in these particular symptoms. Therefore, this choice is not the correct reason for the client's symptoms.

Correct Answer is ["A","B"]

Explanation

"I often faint when I stand up." Fainting upon standing up may be indicative of orthostatic hypotension, which can occur in various medical conditions but is not a specific symptom of iron-deficiency anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia can lead to weakness and dizziness, but fainting when changing positions may suggest other factors, such as blood pressure regulation issues.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are both red blood cell indices. In iron-deficiency anemia, these indices are often decreased, resulting in microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) red blood cells. Therefore, the statement "My MCV and MCHC are both within the normal range" does not align with the characteristic findings of iron-deficiency anemia.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

Increased erythropoietic activity can be a compensatory response to iron-deficiency anemia. When the body senses low oxygen-carrying capacity due to reduced hemoglobin levels, it may increase erythropoietin production, leading to the production of more red blood cells (erythropoiesis) in an attempt to improve oxygen delivery to tissues.

Elevated mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and low red cell distribution width (RDW) are not typical findings of iron-deficiency anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is characterized by hypochromic (pale) red blood cells and often results in increased RDW due to variability in red cell size

Elevated serum iron levels are not expected in iron-deficiency anemia. In fact, iron-deficiency anemia is characterized by low serum iron levels due to insufficient iron stores in the body. Elevated serum iron levels may be seen in other types of anemia or conditions, but they are not a hallmark of

Providing emotional support and counseling to the patient and family members is a crucial component of nursing care for patients with iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life, causing fatigue, weakness, and emotional distress. Offering emotional sup

Taking iron supplements with a large meal is not the most effective way to improve their effectiveness. In fact, taking iron supplements with a large meal can decrease iron absorption due to competition with other nutrients. It is generally recommended to take iron supplements on an empty stomach or

Providing emotional support and counseling to the patient and family members. Providing emotional support and counseling is an important aspect of nursing care for any patient, including those with iron-deficiency anemia. Dealing with a chronic condition can be emotionally challenging for patients a

Encouraging the patient to eat a balanced diet rich in iron. Encouraging a balanced diet is important for preventing and managing iron-deficiency anemia, but it is not typically reserved for severe or symptomatic cases that do not respond to iron supplements. In such cases, more immediate interventi

To provide immediate relief of anemia symptoms. Providing immediate relief of anemia symptoms is a short-term goal of treatment, but it is not the primary goal. The primary focus should be on addressing the root cause of iron deficiency to achieve long-term improvement in the patient's overall healt
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