Final answer:
The nurse should teach the patient to include citrus fruits in their daily diet to improve iron absorption, as these fruits are rich in vitamin C, which enhances iron utilization from the intestine. Other iron-rich foods and iron-fortified breakfast cereals are also beneficial for increasing dietary iron intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
To help improve iron absorption in patients with iron deficiency anemia, it is important to educate them about including certain foods in their diet. While options such as white meat, green leafy vegetables, and iron-fortified breakfast cereals are good sources of iron, citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are particularly effective as they are rich in vitamin C, thereby enhancing the absorption of iron from the intestine. It is also important to consider the daily requirement of iron, which varies by age and physiological conditions.
Introducing citrus fruits into the diet aids in the utilization of iron due to the presence of vitamin C. Foods high in vitamin C reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. For patients with iron deficiency anemia, consuming vitamin C-rich foods alongside iron-rich foods can significantly improve iron status. This may be particularly beneficial for vegetarians who consume plant-based foods that contain phytates, which can inhibit iron absorption. Fortified foods, like certain breakfast cereals that are enriched with iron, can also be a good dietary addition.