Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

For a child diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, instructing the parents to give iron supplements between meals with orange juice is the most beneficial approach. Iron absorption is enhanced by administering it on an empty stomach; this is because certain foods can inhibit the absorption of iron.

Additionally, vitamin C, found abundantly in orange juice, significantly improves the absorption of iron. This combination not only makes the treatment more effective but also helps in mitigating potential gastric discomfort that might occur when iron is taken alone on an empty stomach. Therefore, offering iron supplements between meals along with orange juice optimizes the therapeutic effect of the treatment for iron deficiency anemia in children.