How many IFA tablets should be given to pregnant females with less than 8 gm?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

A hemoglobin (Hb) level of less than 8 g/dL in a pregnant woman indicates moderate to severe anemia, which requires a therapeutic dose of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA).
According to the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) guidelines in India, the therapeutic dose for anemic pregnant women is two IFA tablets daily.
This regimen is continued for a minimum of 100 days, resulting in a total of 200 tablets (2 tablets/day × 100 days).
This therapeutic dose aims to correct the anemia and replenish the body's iron stores.

Option A: This is not a standard prescribed total quantity for IFA tablets under national health programs for either prophylaxis or therapy.
Option B: This is the prophylactic dose (1 tablet daily for 100 days) given to non-anemic pregnant women to prevent anemia, not to treat existing anemia.
Option D: This is an insufficient number of tablets for either a prophylactic or a therapeutic course of treatment for anemia in pregnancy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Therapeutic management of anemia in pregnancy with IFA supplementation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying and treating anemia is critical to prevent adverse maternal outcomes (e.g., postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis) and fetal outcomes (e.g., preterm birth, low birth weight).
A key nursing responsibility for a woman with Hb less than 8 g/dL is to initiate the therapeutic dose of IFA and immediately refer her to a medical officer or higher facility for further evaluation, as parenteral iron or blood transfusion may be necessary.
Patient education is vital: counsel the woman on the importance of adherence, managing side effects (like constipation or nausea), and taking tablets with vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical value in the question: 'less than 8 gm' hemoglobin.
Recognize that an Hb level below 11 g/dL in pregnancy is anemia, and a level below 8 g/dL indicates moderate to severe anemia.
Recall the two main IFA regimens: prophylactic (for prevention) and therapeutic (for treatment).
Determine that an anemic patient requires the therapeutic dose.
Recall the standard therapeutic dose: 2 tablets per day for 100 days.
Calculate the total number of tablets: 2 x 100 = 200. Select the corresponding option.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Therapeutic management of anemia in pregnancy with IFA supplementation.
Stem keywords: IFA tablets, pregnant females, less than 8 gm
Lead-in keywords: How many
Clinical cues: Hb less than 8 gm: Indicates moderate to severe anemia, requiring therapeutic intervention, not prophylaxis.

QYzDnwGdW0_rybMqu9Uqcp

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) p. 202-204

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

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