One of the following is the side effect of parental iron supplementation among children :

IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Pharmacology

Hard

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

Parenteral iron is administered by injection, bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Urticaria (hives) is a systemic hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction, which is a known adverse effect of parenteral iron therapy.
Other systemic side effects of parenteral iron can include fever, joint pain, headache, and, rarely, life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Newer parenteral formulations like ferrous sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose have a lower incidence of hypersensitivity reactions compared to older iron dextran.

Option B: Black stool is a classic, expected, and harmless side effect of ORAL iron supplementation, not parenteral. It is caused by unabsorbed iron being excreted in the feces.
Option C: Abdominal cramps are a common gastrointestinal side effect of ORAL iron, caused by its irritant effect on the stomach and intestinal lining.
Option D: Diarrhoea is a gastrointestinal side effect associated with the irritant action of ORAL iron on the gut mucosa. Constipation is also common.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Side effects of parenteral iron supplementation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patient education is crucial. Nurses must teach parents to distinguish between the harmless black stools of oral iron and signs of GI bleeding. For parenteral iron, they must explain the signs of an allergic reaction to watch for.
When administering intramuscular (IM) iron, using the Z-track technique is a critical nursing skill to prevent painful skin staining and ensure the medication is delivered into the muscle tissue.
What if? If a patient receiving a parenteral iron infusion develops urticaria and shortness of breath, the nurse's immediate priority is to stop the infusion, assess the patient's airway and vital signs, and call for immediate medical assistance, as this indicates an anaphylactic reaction.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'parenteral iron supplementation'.
Understand the meaning of 'parenteral', which means administration by a route other than the digestive tract (e.g., injection).
Differentiate this from 'enteral' or 'oral' administration, which involves the digestive tract.
Analyze the options based on this distinction. Ask yourself: 'Is this side effect caused by local irritation in the gut, or is it a systemic reaction?'
Black stool, cramps, and diarrhoea are all related to the gastrointestinal system, making them likely side effects of oral iron.
Urticaria (hives) is a systemic allergic reaction, which is a known risk when a substance is introduced directly into the body via injection.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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