NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Physician Assistant (PA)
/
Courses
/
Biochemistry
/
Minerals & Trace Elements
/
Iron (Ferrous Sulfate)

Master Iron (Ferrous Sulfate) with Picmonic for Physician Assistant

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Iron (Ferrous Sulfate)

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Iron Deficiency Anemia
picmonic thumbnail
Iron Antidote
picmonic thumbnail
Arsenic, Gold and Copper Antidotes
picmonic thumbnail
Lead Antidotes
picmonic thumbnail
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Mechanism and Deficiency

Iron (Ferrous Sulfate)

Iron
Picmonic
Iron (Ferrous Sulfate) is an inexpensive drug of choice for treating and preventing iron deficiency anemia. The administration of iron promotes hemoglobin production necessary for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Ferrous sulfate is indicated for treating iron deficiency anemia. Side effects include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and dark green or black colored stools. Instruct the patient to take this medication with food and avoid concurrent antacid use. Teach the patient about measures to prevent liquid preparations from staining teeth and to keep this medication out of reach of children. This medication may worsen GI symptoms and should be used with caution in patients with peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and regional enteritis.
10 KEY FACTS
MECHANISM
Ferrous Salts
Ferret Salt-shaker

Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and certain enzymes. The bone marrow utilizes iron to make hemoglobin, the liver stores iron as ferritin, and the muscles incorporate iron to produce myoglobin. The body requires iron to transport oxygen throughout the body.

INDICATIONS
Anemia
Anemone

A deficiency in iron absorption leads to a decreased production of hemoglobin. Since hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body, the patient develops anemia and presents with fatigue and pallor. This drug also prevents iron deficiency associated with pregnancy or chronic blood loss. With iron deficiency anemia, the RBCs are microcytic and hypochromic.

SIDE EFFECTS
GI Distress
GI shootng flare-gun

The body's level of iron is regulated by intestinal absorption. Ferrous sulfate may cause GI distress such as heartburn (pyrosis), constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. These symptoms are dose-dependent and typically decrease with continued drug therapy. Patients experiencing constipation may benefit from a stool softener or laxative.

Nausea and Vomiting
Vomiting

Administering ferrous sulfate increases the body's amount of iron and subsequently affects the GI system's ability to absorb the mineral. Symptoms of GI distress caused by iron preparations include nausea and vomiting. Inform the patient that continued therapy often leads to decreased symptoms.

Dark Stools
Dark Stool

Although ferrous sulfate may cause dark green or black-colored stools, inform the patient that this is a harmless side effect and not indicative of bleeding.

CONSIDERATIONS
Take Between Meals
Between Meals

Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach. Certain dietary components may chelate iron and prevent it from being absorbed. Patients should thus be instructed not to take this medication with food. However, this will increase the incidence of GI upset. If patients cannot tolerate the increased GI side effects, they can be instructed to take iron with meals to increase medication adherence

Liquid can Stain Teeth
Liquid Staining Teeth

Liquid preparations of ferrous sulfate may stain teeth. Instruct the patient to dilute liquid iron preparations with juice or water, administer through a straw, and rinse the mouth after taking the medication.

Keep out of Reach from Children
Out of Reach of Child

Since excessive amounts of iron is toxic, accidental or intentional overdose leads to poisoning. Iron preparations should be stored in childproof containers and kept out of reach of children.

Caution with GI Disorders
Caution at GI with Disorder

Since iron preparations cause GI effects, this medication may worsen symptoms associated with peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and regional enteritis. Patients with these conditions should use this medication cautiously and avoid oral iron preparations.

Avoid Antacids
Avoid-sign Ant-acid

Antacids decrease the body's ability to absorb iron and should not be taken with ferrous sulfate.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Take the Iron (Ferrous Sulfate) Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Physician Assistant (PA) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,870,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Physician Assistant (PA) student study app.

Picmonic for Physician Assistant (PA) covers information that is relevant to your entire Physician Assistant (PA) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the PANCE® or PANRE®, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Physician Assistant (PA) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.