Medical Surgical HESI Related

Review Medical Surgical HESI related questions and content

Parents of a 6-month-old child, who has just been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, ask why it was not diagnosed earlier. What would be the best response by the nurse?

  • A. Are you sure your child has iron deficiency anemia?
  • B. This happens when the maternal stores of iron are depleted at about 6 months.
  • C. This anemia is caused by blood loss.
  • D. The child may not have had it for a long time.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The best response by the nurse would be choice B: 'This happens when the maternal stores of iron are depleted at about 6 months.' Iron deficiency anemia becomes apparent at about 6 months of age in a full-term infant when the maternal stores of iron are depleted. Choice A is incorrect because it questions the diagnosis provided by the healthcare provider. Choice C is incorrect because iron deficiency anemia in infants is primarily due to insufficient iron intake rather than blood loss. Choice D is incorrect as iron deficiency anemia typically develops gradually due to inadequate iron intake.