Question

The nurse is providing nutritional counseling for a postpartum patient with a hemoglobin of 8.0. Which statement indicates that additional teaching is necessary?

A. "My iron is low, but it will increase as I take iron supplements."
B. "I need to increase food sources that contain iron."
C. "If I drink lots of milk, I will increase my iron level faster."
D. "I might feel less energetic and tire more easily while my iron is low."

Answer 1

The statement that requires additional teaching is C. "If I drink lots of milk, I will increase my iron level faster."

Step-by-step explanation:

Consuming excessive amounts of milk can hinder iron absorption due to its calcium content, potentially worsening iron deficiency anemia. Calcium can interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron from food sources or supplements.

It is crucial to educate the patient that while milk is a valuable nutrient, excessive intake alongside iron supplements or iron-rich foods may impede iron absorption and affect the recovery from anemia.

Iron supplements and iron-rich foods are essential to improve low hemoglobin levels. However, taking iron supplements alone might not be sufficient, as the body needs a balanced diet with adequate iron absorption.

Advising the patient to increase consumption of foods rich in iron, such as leafy green vegetables, red meat, beans, and fortified cereals, is a crucial step towards addressing the deficiency.

Option C is correct.

Answer 2

The statement that indicates additional teaching is necessary is option C: "If I drink lots of milk, I will increase my iron level faster." This is incorrect because while milk is a good source of calcium and other nutrients, it can inhibit the absorption of iron.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Iron absorption is influenced by various factors, and understanding these is crucial in providing accurate nutritional counseling. Option C suggests that drinking lots of milk will increase iron levels faster, which is a misconception. Calcium competes with iron for absorption in the intestines. When consumed together, calcium can inhibit the absorption of non-heme iron, the type of iron found in plant-based foods and supplements. Therefore, advising the patient to increase iron levels by consuming lots of milk is not accurate and needs correction.

To elaborate further, it's important to clarify that iron supplements and dietary iron from food sources play distinct roles. Option A correctly acknowledges that iron supplements can help address low iron levels. The human body absorbs heme iron, found in animal products, more efficiently than non-heme iron. Therefore, combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C, which enhances non-heme iron absorption, is a valuable strategy. Option B aligns with this understanding, emphasizing the importance of increasing food sources containing iron. However, it's essential to guide the patient towards a balanced approach, considering the interaction of nutrients for optimal absorption. Overall, the correction should focus on dispelling the misconception related to milk and emphasizing a well-rounded approach to improve iron levels.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.