Question

The client has an order for Feosol(ferrous sulfate). To promote absorption, the nurse should administer the medication with:

Milk
A meal
Orange juice
Undiluted

Answer 1

To enhance the absorption of ferrous sulfate, it should be administered with orange juice due to the vitamin C content, which aids in reducing ferric iron to the more absorbable ferrous iron.

Step-by-step explanation:

To promote the absorption of ferrous sulfate (Feosol), it is recommended to administer the medication with orange juice. This is because the absorption of iron mainly occurs in the duodenum and the proximal jejunum, and is influenced by the pH level of the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is abundant in orange juice, helps reduce ferric iron (Fe³+) to ferrous iron (Fe²+), the form more readily absorbed by the body. Most of the iron in our diet occurs in the ferric form and requires an acidic medium to facilitate this reduction process. The presence of vitamin C complements this process, thus enhancing iron absorption.

In contrast, certain substances, such as the calcium in milk or an alkaline pH, can impair the absorption of iron. Furthermore, actions like ingesting a meal may also introduce such interactions that can potentially impede iron's assimilation. Thus, it is best to avoid taking iron supplements with milk or during a meal if the objective is to maximize iron uptake.