A 12-month-old toddler weighing 18 pounds is brought to the clinic because of weakness, slow physical growth, and developmental delays. His mother reports that the only food he will consume is cow's milk. Considering this information, the nurse decides that the child probably has:
A) pernicious anemia.
B) iron deficiency anemia.
C) aplastic anemia.
D) hemolytic anemia.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A 12-month-old toddler weighing 18 pounds should have transitioned from breastmilk or formula to solid food. Cow's milk does not provide adequate nutrients, including iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. The symptoms of weakness, slow physical growth, and developmental delays are also characteristic of iron deficiency anemia. Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12, which is not related to the information provided. Aplastic anemia is a rare disorder where the body doesn't produce enough new blood cells, and hemolytic anemia is caused by the destruction of red blood cells, neither of which are likely causes for the child's symptoms based on the information given.

A 12-Month-Old Toddler Weighing 18 Pounds Is Brought to the Clinic