Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What dietary recommendation is typically given to a patient suffering from iron deficiency anemia?

1. Avoid all meat products.

2. Increase intake of dairy products.

3. Include iron-rich foods like red meat and spinach.

4. Limit consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The correct answer is: Include iron-rich foods like red meat and spinach.

The recommendation to include iron-rich foods like red meat and spinach is correct because these foods are significant sources of dietary iron, which is essential for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Red meat contains heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron found in plant-based sources. Spinach, while also rich in iron, provides non-heme iron, which can be enhanced in absorption by consuming it with vitamin C sources. In contrast, avoiding all meat products can lead to further depletion of iron in those who are iron deficient, as meats are a primary source of heme iron. Increasing dairy intake does not address the iron deficiency and may actually decrease iron absorption due to calcium. Limiting fruits and vegetables is not recommended as these foods can provide important vitamins and minerals that support overall health and can aid in iron absorption when combined with iron-rich foods.