Question

Which procedure does the nurse recognize as the means of eliminating excess iron in a child with B-thalassemia major?

a) Blood transfusion.
b) Iron chelation therapy.
c) Vitamin supplementation.
d) Dietary modifications.

Answer 1

Iron chelation therapy is used to eliminate excess iron in a child with B-thalassemia major. This treatment is essential for preventing organ damage due to iron overload, which can result from repeated blood transfusions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The procedure recognized for eliminating excess iron in a child with B-thalassemia major is b) Iron chelation therapy. Blood transfusions are often required in managing B-thalassemia major due to anemia, but they can lead to iron overload. Iron chelation therapy is used to remove the excess iron that accumulates in the body as a result of the frequent blood transfusions that these patients undergo. Chelation agents such as deferoxamine, deferasirox, or deferiprone can be prescribed to bind with the excess iron, which is then excreted from the body, primarily through the urine.

Iron chelation therapy is crucial as iron overload can cause damage to vital organs, particularly the heart and liver. This treatment approach helps prevent the complications associated with the excessive iron accumulation seen in B-thalassemia major.