Question

A client with iron deficiency anemia has been prescribed an oral iron preparation. Which beverage is best to take with this medication? A. Milk B. Orange juice C. Water D. iced tea

Short answer

Answer: B. Orange juice

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the concept of Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition where the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells due to a lack of iron, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. To resolve this issue, doctors often prescribe oral iron supplements to increase the iron levels in the body.

Identifying factors affecting iron absorption

To evaluate which beverage is best to take with oral iron supplements, we must consider the factors that can affect iron absorption in the body. These factors can be divided into enhancers (increasing iron absorption) and inhibitors (decreasing iron absorption).

Comparing the effects of different beverages on iron absorption

Now, let's examine how each beverage affects iron absorption: A. Milk: Milk contains calcium, which is known to inhibit iron absorption, making it a less suitable choice for taking with iron supplements. B. Orange juice: Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is known to enhance iron absorption, making it a better choice for taking with iron supplements. C. Water: While water doesn't contain any factors that affect iron absorption, it also doesn't provide any benefits in enhancing it. Therefore, it's an acceptable but not the best choice. D. Iced tea: Iced tea contains compounds called polyphenols, which have been shown to inhibit iron absorption, making it a poor choice for taking with iron supplements.

Conclusion

Based on the factors affecting iron absorption and the properties of the given beverages, it's clear that the best beverage to take with oral iron medication for a client with iron deficiency anemia is: B. Orange juice, as it contains Vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption, maximizing the efficiency of the oral iron supplementation.