Final answer:
The nurse should recommend the client consume the iron supplement with orange juice, as the Vitamin C in orange juice enhances iron absorption. Avoiding dairy products, tea, and coffee, which can inhibit absorption, is also important.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should recommend that the client consume the iron supplement with orange juice to increase absorption. Vitamin C, which is abundant in citrus fruits like oranges, enhances the absorption of iron from the intestine. When iron is consumed together with Vitamin C or other organic acids found in fruits and vegetables, the iron is better absorbed, particularly the non-heme iron which is the form of iron predominantly found in supplements and plant foods.
Iron is a crucial mineral necessary for the production of hemoglobin, and its absorption can be affected by various dietary components. For example, absorption is decreased by the presence of phytates in some plant foods, calcium in dairy products like milk, and polyphenols in tea and coffee, as these can bind to iron and inhibit its uptake from the intestine.
Certain conditions and factors, such as achlorhydria (lack of stomach acid), copper deficiency, or significant surgical removal of parts of the stomach or intestine, can impair iron absorption. Conversely, iron absorption can be increased in conditions like pernicious anemia and hypoplastic anemia. Additionally, ingestion of alcohol has been noted to favor iron absorption, though it is not recommended to consume alcohol for this purpose.
To treat iron deficiency anemia successfully, one should consider the type of iron supplement being taken, as different forms have varying absorption rates. Oral iron therapy commonly uses preparations such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate, and the importance of diet in supporting iron absorption cannot be overstated. Ensuring adequate dietary intake of iron-rich foods, including red meat, legumes, and fortified cereals, in conjunction with factors that enhance iron absorption is key to preventing and treating anemia.