Deficiency of iron in the food causes?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Explanation

Iron is a critical component of hemoglobin, the protein within red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.
A dietary deficiency of iron impairs the body's ability to synthesize adequate amounts of hemoglobin.
This leads to the development of iron-deficiency anemia, a condition where the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues.
The resulting red blood cells are often smaller (microcytic) and paler (hypochromic) than normal.
Common symptoms include fatigue, pallor (pale skin), weakness, and shortness of breath on exertion.

Option A: Blindness is not caused by iron deficiency. The most common nutritional cause of preventable blindness, especially in children, is Vitamin A deficiency.
Option C: Diarrhea is primarily an infectious or inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, typically caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. It is not a direct symptom of iron deficiency.
Option D: Dysentery is a severe form of infectious diarrhea, characterized by blood and mucus in the feces. It is caused by specific pathogens like Shigella bacteria or Entamoeba histolytica, not by a lack of iron.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nutritional Deficiencies and Associated Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in identifying patients at high risk for iron-deficiency anemia, such as pregnant women, young children, adolescents, and individuals with chronic blood loss.
Patient education is a key nursing intervention, focusing on dietary sources of iron (e.g., red meat, poultry, beans, dark leafy greens) and factors that enhance absorption, like Vitamin C.
Nurses monitor for signs and symptoms of anemia, administer prescribed iron supplements, and educate patients on managing side effects like constipation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key nutrient in the question, which is 'iron'.
Recall the primary physiological function of iron in the human body. You should remember its central role in forming hemoglobin.
Consider the consequence of a deficiency. If iron is needed for hemoglobin, a lack of iron will lead to a problem with hemoglobin or red blood cells.
Evaluate the given options. 'Anemia' is a blood disorder directly related to red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Rule out the other options by recalling their primary causes. Blindness is linked to Vitamin A, while diarrhea and dysentery are infectious diseases.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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