Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, resulting from inadequate iron stores to support hemoglobin synthesis. Iron is essential for the heme molecule within hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. When iron stores are depleted, the bone marrow produces small (microcytic), pale (hypochromic) red blood cells with reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. This leads to tissue hypoxia, compensatory tachycardia, and fatigue. The nurse monitors for signs and symptoms of anemia, administers iron supplements and other medications as ordered, reinforces dietary education, and reports changes in patient status.