Question

The nurse is developing a meal plan that would provide the maximum possible amount of iron for a child with anemia. Which dinner menu should be selected for the child?

A. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple slices, milk
B. Fish sticks, french fries, banana, cookies, milk
C. Ground beef patty, lima beans, wheat roll, raisins, milk
D. Chicken nuggets, macaroni, peas, cantaloupe, milk

Answer 1

The best dinner menu for a child with anemia, focusing on maximizing iron intake, is Option C, which includes a ground beef patty, lima beans, wheat roll, raisins, and milk. These items provide significant sources of iron and the milk adds other essential nutrients.

Step-by-step explanation:

In developing a meal plan that would provide the maximum possible amount of iron for a child with anemia, it's important to consider food sources that are high in iron. Red meat, such as ground beef, is a great source of iron. Additionally, foods like beans and certain dried fruits such as raisins also contain iron. The inclusion of vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, so meals that combine these elements are optimal. Considering these factors, the best menu option for the child would be Option C: Ground beef patty, lima beans, wheat roll, raisins, and milk. This meal includes red meat (ground beef) and legumes (lima beans), which are good sources of iron. Raisins and wheat roll are also part of the meal, contributing to the iron content, and the milk can provide additional nutrients necessary for a growing child.