A child is found to be deficient in iron. To increase the child's absorption of iron, which vitamin should a nurse encourage the parents to supplement?

Appeared in: NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential for the absorption of non-heme iron.
It acts as a reducing agent, converting iron from the less absorbable ferric (Fe³⁺) form to the more absorbable ferrous (Fe²⁺) form in the gut.
This chemical conversion significantly enhances the bioavailability of iron from supplements and plant-based foods.
Pairing iron supplements with a source of Vitamin C is a standard clinical recommendation to treat iron deficiency anemia effectively.

Option A: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for vision, immune function, and cellular growth. It does not have a primary or direct role in enhancing the absorption of dietary iron from the intestine.
Option C: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily responsible for regulating calcium and phosphorus absorption and metabolism, which is vital for bone health. It is not involved in the iron absorption pathway.
Option D: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. Its primary function is not related to mineral absorption, and it does not facilitate the uptake of iron.

Visual 1: Diagram: A simple chemical diagram showing Vitamin C donating an electron to a Ferric (Fe³⁺) ion, converting it to a Ferrous (Fe²⁺) ion. This visualizes the 'reducing agent' mechanism.
Visual 2: Infographic: A chart listing iron-rich foods (e.g., spinach, lentils, fortified cereals) and Vitamin C-rich foods (e.g., oranges, strawberries, bell peppers), with arrows showing they should be consumed together for optimal iron absorption.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Nutrient interactions and mineral absorption to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Patient Education: Nurses play a vital role in educating families about iron deficiency. A key teaching point is to take iron supplements with a glass of orange juice or a Vitamin C-rich fruit, rather than with milk or tea, which can inhibit absorption.
Dietary Planning: For children with poor iron intake, nurses can suggest meals that naturally combine iron and Vitamin C, such as chili with tomatoes, or fortified cereal with strawberries.
Monitoring: When monitoring a child's response to iron therapy, understanding factors that affect absorption, like Vitamin C intake, helps the nurse assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan and troubleshoot if hemoglobin levels do not improve as expected.

How to Approach the Question

1. Identify the core concept: The question asks about a specific interaction between a mineral (iron) and a vitamin.
2. Recall nutritional biochemistry: Access your knowledge about how different vitamins and minerals are absorbed and how they can influence each other.
3. Focus on the specific need: The goal is to increase iron absorption. Think about which substances are known as 'enhancers' of iron uptake.
4. Evaluate the options:
Vitamin A? Primarily for vision/immunity.
Vitamin C? Known to help with iron.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nutrient interactions and mineral absorption
Stem keywords: child, deficient in iron, increase absorption of iron
Lead-in keywords: which vitamin
Clinical cues: The key is to identify the synergistic relationship between a specific vitamin and iron.

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Practise the full NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.