Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

Question 1

What Type of Anemia is IDA Considered & Why?

Answer 1

1. Nutritional Anemia
2. Decrease in RBC Production
3. Decrease in RBC production bc of altered Hgb synthesis due to Fe deficiency.

Question 2

What is IDA exactly

Answer 2

1. Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
2. Most common underlying cause of anemia worldwide
3. Depleted or insufficient Hgb supplies slow production of RBC’s
4. RBC’s become microcytic & hypo-chromic

Question 3

Pathophysiology of IDA

Answer 3

ABSOLUTE IRON DEFICIENCY:
1. Excess Iron loss
2. Iron absorption abnormalities
3. Insufficient dietary intake
FUNCTIONAL IRON DEFICIENCY:
1. Re-allocation of Iron stores

Question 4

What are Specific Clinical Manifestations for IDA?

Answer 4

1. Pica
2. Glossitis
3. Gastric Aatrophy
4. Stomatitis (Inflamed lining of mouth) & smooth, sore tongue
5. Pagophagia
6. Leg cramping
7. Coarsely ridged, spoon-shaped, brittle nails
8. Cheilosis

Question 5

How can we diagnose IDA?

Answer 5

1. Decreased & morphologically distinct RBC’s
2. Decreased Hgb & Hct
3. Low Iron level
4. Low ferritin/transferrin
5. Elevated total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
6. Bone marrow aspiration

Question 6

What is my duty as a Nurse caring for a pt c IDA?

Answer 6

IDENTIFY UNDERLYING ETIOLOGY:
1. Comprehensive pt assessment
2. Fecal blood occult
3. Exploratory procedures
REPLACE IRON:
1. Dietary, supplemental

Question 7

Is there a special diet?

Answer 7

ENCOURAGE IRON RICH FOODS

1. Beef, chicken, egg yolk, clams, oysters pork loin, turkey, veal
2. Bran flakes, brown rice, whole-grain bread, dried beans, dried fruit, greens, oatmeal.

Question 8

What is the major s/s for IDA?

Answer 8

Fatigue
Weakness
SOB