Medical Nutrition Therapy For Various Disease States Practice Test

For macrocytic anemia, what is the recommended approach?

Increase iron intake Avoid B12 Determine cause and increase B12/folate intake Increase calcium

Correct Answer:

Determine cause and increase B12/folate intake

Explanation:

Macrocytic anemia happens when red blood cell production is disrupted, most often from insufficient vitamin B12 or folate. The most effective approach is to identify the underlying cause and replenish the deficient nutrients. If B12 deficiency is present (which can be due to poor intake, malabsorption, or pernicious anemia), B12 replacement is needed. If folate deficiency is present (common with poor intake or heightened needs), folate supplementation is used. In many cases, both deficiencies can contribute and both should be corrected. This strategy directly treats the cause of the macrocytosis and anemia. Iron supplementation would not fix macrocytosis since iron deficiency causes microcytic anemia, not macrocytic. Calcium has no role in correcting this type of anemia.

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