Iron-Deficiency Anemia — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Microcytic, ↓ferritin
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Physiological Adaptation
🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Iron-Deficiency Anemia on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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- blood loss, ↓intake, menstruation
- GI bleed, pregnancy, malabsorb
- pallor, fatigue, tachycardia
- spoon nails, pica, glossitis
- microcytic hypochromic RBC
- ↓ferritin, ↓Hgb, ↑TIBC
- iron + vit C (↑absorption)
- take empty stomach, expect dark stool
- IM iron = Z-track, no massage
- liquid iron via straw (stains teeth)
✨Quick Tip
Red cells are microcytic and hypochromic (small and pale).
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