Anemia

Anemia ( 15 Questions)

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia.
The client's laboratory results show a low hemoglobin level and microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells on the peripheral blood smear.
What other laboratory findings are consistent with iron-deficiency anemia in this client?


Correct Answer: C

Choice A rationale:

Elevated serum iron levels are not consistent with iron-deficiency anemia.

Iron-deficiency anemia is characterized by low serum iron levels, as the body lacks sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin.

In this case, the client mentions that their serum iron levels are within the normal range, which does not align with the typical findings of iron-deficiency anemia.

Choice B rationale:

Transferrin saturation measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin in the blood.

In iron-deficiency anemia, transferrin saturation is typically below 20% because there is insufficient iron available for binding to transferrin.

Therefore, the statement that "My transferrin saturation is above 20%" is inconsistent with the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia.

Choice C rationale:

Serum ferritin is a key indicator of iron stores in the body.

In iron-deficiency anemia, serum ferritin levels are significantly decreased because the body has depleted its iron stores to maintain essential functions like hemoglobin synthesis.

Therefore, the statement "My serum ferritin is significantly elevated" contradicts the typical laboratory findings of iron-deficiency anemia.

Choice D rationale:

The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are both red blood cell indices.

In iron-deficiency anemia, these indices are often decreased, resulting in microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) red blood cells.

Therefore, the statement "My MCV and MCHC are both within the normal range" does not align with the characteristic findings of iron-deficiency anemia.




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