The client is at risk for development of a pressure ulcer. Which supports the nurse's decision to address the client's iron-deficiency anemia for prevention or treatment of a pressure ulcer? Ane-mia leads to:

Question

1. Decreased tissue oxygenation
2. Increases mobility impairment
3. Reduced tissue tensile strength
4. Decreased level of consciousness

Answer 1

1
1. Iron-deficiency anemia leads to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood from microcytic, hypochromic erythrocytes and a low mean corpuscular hemoglobin increasing the risk of cell death. Restoring iron levels improves the oxygen-carrying capacity of the client's blood by providing a substrate necessary for normocytic, normochromic erythrocytes and by supplying adequate oxygen for cell metabolism and energy production. The nurse collaborates with the dietitian to improve the client's diet with dietary sources of iron and protein to build healthy erythrocytes; however, the nurse avoids increasing the client's dietary intake of iron with normal serum iron levels because iron supplements taken with normal iron stores increases the risk of cardiac events in adult male clients.
2 and 4. Iron deficiency anemia potentially causes decreased exercise tolerance and fatigue from a decreased oxygen tension but should not impair the client's mobility.
3. Reduced tensile strength of tissue is uncharacteristic of iron-deficiency anemia.