Iron with food or without???

[snmzelle]

Hello all, I'm preping for nclex on Sat. Get this, Kaplan says, never take iron without food b/c it absorbs better w/food esp. orange juice. Saunders says never to take iron with food, I hate when there's conflicting info b/c then I lose confidence in the material I'm studying. Does anyone know which is the correct answer?

thanks!

[vbarger28, BSN]

I graduated from kaplan recently, they say take iron with orange juice, not food. Orange juice is the most helpful liquid in absorbing the iron, not physical hard food. Iron causes constipation too, so make sure to pack the diet with bulk and fiber. You give with orange juice, not food.

[RLtinker, LPN]

I checked three sources:

PO: iron is most effectivlly absorbed 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals. If gastric irritation occurs, take with meals. Vitamin C increase abortion,foods high in phytates (grains) decrease absorption. Milk, antacid, eggs, tea, eggs and coffee also decreases absorption.

[LeeLeeTheGPN]

I've always learned when taking iron, avoid with milk and dairy, with food is not necessary, and Vitamin C increases absorption.

[chicagoboy]

Yeah, back in school, were thought Vitamin C increases absorption of Iron. No food was mentioned. so i'm assuming juice like OJ.

[jfb5143]

It's more useful for the NCLEX to remember what NOT to take things with. I would just remember no milk and not worry about it any further

[snmzelle]

Thank you RLtinker for looking up those sources and thank you all for your input. I am sure now that I'm going with "yes OJ and no milk"

On a similar note, was studying Saunder's or Kaplan, can't remember which. They say to make sure the patient voids before giving pre-op meds. So I'm doing the Mosby review questions tonight, and they say to make sure patient signs consent form first so they are alert before giving the meds and that is acceptable to let them void AFTER giving them the pre-op meds. What the heck! Does anyone know the correct answer to this one??

Thank you,

mzelle