The recommended dose of iron and folic acid for adolescent girls under Weekly Iron & Folic Acid Supplementati… - NORCET-7 Mains-2024

NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Explanation

The Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program guidelines specify a prophylactic weekly dose for adolescents (10-19 years).
This dose consists of one tablet containing 100 mg of elemental iron and 500 mcg of folic acid.
The program aims to break the intergenerational cycle of anemia by targeting this vulnerable age group.
This intervention is administered on a fixed day each week (e.g., Monday) in schools and Anganwadi centers to ensure compliance and supervision.

Option B: This dose (60 mg iron) is associated with the newer Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy, often for different target groups (like pregnant women) or as a revised dose to reduce side effects. However, standard textbooks and foundational WIFS guidelines for adolescents specify 100 mg.
Option C: The unit 'mcg' (microgram) for iron is incorrect. A dose of 100 mcg is 1/1000th of 100 mg, making it a sub-therapeutic and ineffective amount for preventing anemia.
Option D: A dose of 500 mg of elemental iron is excessively high for weekly prophylaxis and carries a significant risk of iron toxicity and severe gastrointestinal side effects. The folic acid dose is also incorrect.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart detailing the key components of the WIFS program, including the target group, dosage, frequency, and associated interventions like deworming.
Visual 2: Image: A picture of the blue-colored Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablet next to a ruler for scale, to help students visualize the supplement provided under the program.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Dosage for Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are pivotal in educating adolescents and their families about the importance of IFA supplementation, managing common side effects (like black stools, constipation, or nausea), and promoting adherence to the weekly schedule.
Understanding the correct dosage is a critical patient safety issue to prevent both under-dosing (ineffective) and over-dosing (toxic).
The WIFS program is a cornerstone of public health in India, and nurses in community and school health settings are directly involved in its implementation and monitoring.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the specific program (WIFS), the target population (adolescent girls), and the substances (iron and folic acid).
The question asks for the 'recommended dose', which refers to the standard guideline for this national health program.
Scan the options to see how they differ. Notice the variations in the amount (100, 60, 500) and the units (mg vs. mcg).
Eliminate options that are clearly incorrect based on basic pharmacological principles. A 100 mcg dose of iron is too small, and a 500 mg dose is too large for prophylaxis.
This leaves a choice between 100 mg and 60 mg of iron. Recall that 100 mg iron / 500 mcg folic acid is the foundational dose for the adolescent WIFS program as per standard guidelines.
Select the option that matches the established WIFS program protocol for adolescents.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Dosage for Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program
Stem keywords: recommended dose, iron, folic acid, adolescent girls, WIFS program
Lead-in keywords: recommended dose

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