Question

A patient who has severe iron-deficiency anemia will receive iron dextran IV. When administering this medication to the patient, which of these actions should the healthcare provider implement?

Choose 1 answer:

A.Dilute the medication in 50mLL normal saline and infuse over 30 minutes.
B. Add the iron dextran to the patient's parenteral nutrition solution.
C. Give a small test dose and observe the patient for several minutes.
D. Administer the medication IV push over 1 minute into a large vein.

Answer 1

When administering iron dextran IV to a patient with severe iron-deficiency anemia, the healthcare provider should give a small test dose and observe the patient for several minutes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering iron dextran IV to a patient with severe iron-deficiency anemia, the healthcare provider should implement the following action:

C. Give a small test dose and observe the patient for several minutes.

This is important because iron dextran can cause serious hypersensitivity reactions. Giving a small test dose allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's reaction before administering the full dose. If the patient tolerates the test dose well, the full dose can be administered.