RESIDENT_____________________________________

DATE

PROBLEM

GOAL

TO DATE

INTERVENTIONS

RESP

DISC

Medication

Potential for discomfort and side effects related to the use of

Iron

For the diagnosis of

Resident will be free of any discomfort or adverse side effects

Administer medication as ordered

Ask physician to review medication for possible dose reduction every three months

Report pertinent lab results to physician

Observe for possible side effects every shift

Indications

Iron therapy is not indicated in anemia of chronic disease when iron stores and transferrin levels are normal or elevated

Dosage/Duration

Clinical rationale should be documented for long-term use (greater than two months) or administration more than once daily for greater than a week, because of side effects and the risk of iron accumulation in tissues

Monitoring

Baseline serum iron or ferritin level and periodic CBC or hematocrit/ hemoglobin

Adverse Consequences

May cause constipation, dyspepsia

Can accumulate in tissues and cause multiple complications if given chronically despite normal or high iron stores