Question

The healthcare provider is admitting a patient with a diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia. The patient's skin and conjunctiva are pale, the tongue is smooth and red, and there are sores on the corners of the mouth. Which additional assessment finding will the healthcare provider identify as related to the iron-deficiency anemia?

Choose 1 answer:

A. Bradycardia
B. Jaundice
C. Spoon-shaped nails
D. Paresthesias

Answer 1

Spoon-shaped nails, or koilonychia, is the additional assessment finding related to iron-deficiency anemia. Identifying this symptom is critical for proper anemia treatment and management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The additional assessment finding that the healthcare provider will identify as related to iron-deficiency anemia is C. Spoon-shaped nails. This condition, known as koilonychia, occurs due to insufficient iron, which is necessary for the production of hemoglobin that binds oxygen in the blood. Spoon-shaped nails are a classical sign of iron-deficiency anemia, along with symptoms such as pale skin, smooth and red tongue, and sores at the corners of the mouth. It's essential to recognize these symptoms to provide proper treatment for anemia, which could include dietary changes, iron supplements, or in severe cases, blood transfusions. Other types of anemia can be caused by vitamin deficiencies or inherited disorders, and each type may have distinct symptoms and treatment approaches.