MB is a generally healthy 36-year-old woman with complaints ofpersistent generalized fatigue. At her annual checkup, she is notedto have the following vital signs: heart rate, 118 beats/min; bloodpressure, 128/60 mm Hg; oral temperature, 37°C; and respiratoryrate, 26 breaths/min. Her skin and nail beds are pale. Laboratoryresults demonstrate hematocrit (Hct), 31%; hemoglobin (Hb), 10g/dL; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, 27; meancorpuscular volume, 70; and total iron binding capacity, 600mg/dL.
1)Which of MB’s clinical signs are reflective of the body’seffort to compensate for the decreased oxygen carrying capacityseen with this condition?
2)MB is counseled to increase her dietary intake ofiron-containing foods. What kinds of food would be recommended?
3) MB is given a prescription for ferrous sulfate 300 mg threetimes per day. How long do you anticipate this therapy willcontinue?
