The nurse is teaching a client about iron-rich food to be consumed to correct anaemia. Which one of the following vitamins has to be supplemented to increase iron absorption?

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

Explanation

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful enhancer of non-heme iron absorption from the diet.
It facilitates absorption by reducing dietary ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to the more soluble and readily absorbable ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) in the gut.
This action is particularly important for individuals relying on plant-based sources of iron, which is entirely in the non-heme (Fe³⁺) form.
Patient education for anemia correction should always include instructions to pair iron sources with a Vitamin C source to maximize bioavailability.

Option B: Vitamin D is primarily responsible for regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which is crucial for bone health.
Option C: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a necessary cofactor for the synthesis of heme, the iron-containing component of hemoglobin. It does not, however, increase the absorption of dietary iron.
Option D: Folic acid is vital for DNA synthesis and cell division, which is critical for the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. It does not play a role in the absorption of iron from the gut.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Nutritional management of anemia and factors affecting iron absorption to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Effective patient teaching is a core nursing responsibility. When counseling a patient with iron-deficiency anemia, simply advising them to take iron is insufficient. Explaining how to maximize absorption (with Vitamin C) and what to avoid (calcium, tannins) significantly improves therapeutic outcomes.
Nurses must educate patients about the common side effects of oral iron, such as constipation, nausea, and black stools. This pre-emptive teaching improves adherence and reduces patient anxiety.
What if the patient experiences severe GI upset with oral iron even when taken with food? The nurse should anticipate this possibility and know the next steps, which may include discussing a lower dose, a different formulation (e.g., ferrous gluconate instead of sulfate), or parenteral iron with the prescriber.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for a vitamin that increases iron absorption.
Recall the pathophysiology of anemia and the nutritional components involved in red blood cell formation and function.
Evaluate each option based on its primary physiological role.
Option A (Vitamin C): Recall its role as an antioxidant and its specific function in converting ferric iron to the more absorbable ferrous form.
Option B (Vitamin D): Associate it primarily with calcium and bone health.
Option C (Vitamin B6): Link it to heme synthesis, not absorption.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nutritional management of anemia and factors affecting iron absorption.
Stem keywords: anaemia, iron-rich food, iron absorption
Lead-in keywords: Which one
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 111-113

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 222-224

Practise the full SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

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