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Elisabeth Fandrich
NURS 2516 Clinical Medications Worksheets
(You will need to make additional copies of these forms)

Generic Name Trade Name Classification Dose Route Time/frequency

Ferrous Feosol antianemics 325 mg po Q 4-6hr PRN
sulfate (30%
elemental
iron)
Peak Onset Duration For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and /or solutions
7-10 days 4 days 2-4 mo. N/A

Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)

(Why med ordered) Contraindications/warnings/interactions
An essential mineral found in hemoglobin, myoglobin, Contraindicated in:
and many enzymes Primary
Iron def. anemia, unsp. hemochromatosis
Hemolytic anemias and other anemias not due to iron
deficiency
Some products contain alcohol, tartrazine, or sulfites and
should be avoided in patients with known intolerance or
hypersensitivity
Concurrent oral iron
therapy
Use Cautiously in:
PO: Peptic ulcer
Ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis (condition may be
aggravated)
Indiscriminate chronic use (may lead to iron overload)

Geriatric patients (lower initial dose may be recommended)

Exercise Extreme Caution in:

Geriatric patients (lower initial dose may be

recommended)

Common side effects

Hypotension, nausea, constipation, dark stools, diarrhea,
epigastric pain

Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or herbal
medicines (ask patient specifically)
Iron absorption is ↓ 33-50% by concurrent
administration of food
Lab value alterations caused by medicine
Serum ferritin and iron levels may also be monitored to
assess effectiveness of therapy (increased iron). Occult
blood in stools may be obscured by black coloration of iron
in stool. Guaiac test results may occasionally be false-
positive.
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Elisabeth Fandrich
Be sure to teach the patient the following about this
medication
Encourage patient to comply with medication regimen. Take
missed doses as soon as remembered within 12 hr;
otherwise, return to regular dosing schedule. Do not double
doses
Advise patient that stools may become dark green or black
and that this change is harmless
Instruct patient to follow a diet high in
iron

Nursing Process- Assessment Assessment Evaluation

(Pre-administration assessment)
Assess nutritional status and dietary history
to determine possible cause of anemia and
need for patient teaching
Assess bowel function for constipation or
diarrhea. Notify physician or other health
care professional and use appropriate nursing
measures should these occur
Why would you hold or not give this
med?
Constipation, diarrhea, allergy
Check after giving
Increase in hemoglobin, which
may reach normal parameters
after 1-2 mo of therapy. May
require 3-6 mo for
normalization of body iron
stores
Increase in hemoglobin,
hematocrit, and plasma iron
levels with iron dextran. The
diagnosis of iron-deficiency
anemia should be reconfirmed
if hemoglobin has not
increased by 1 g/100 ml in 2
wk
Improvement in anemia of
chronic renal failure