Chelation therapy is begun on a child with b-thalassemia major.The purpose of this therapy is to:
A)Treat the disease.
B)Eliminate excess iron.
C)Decrease the risk of hypoxia.
D)Manage nausea and vomiting.

Question

Chelation therapy is begun on a child with b-thalassemia major.The purpose of this therapy is to:
A)Treat the disease.
B)Eliminate excess iron.
C)Decrease the risk of hypoxia.
D)Manage nausea and vomiting.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A complication of the frequent blood transfusions in thalassemia is iron overload.Chelation therapy with deferoxamine (an iron-chelating agent)is given with oral supplements of vitamin C to increase iron excretion.Chelation therapy treats the side effects of disease management.Decreasing the risk of hypoxia and managing nausea and vomiting are not the purposes of chelation therapy.

Chelation Therapy Is Begun on a Child with B-Thalassemia Major