A nurse is caring for a 32-year-old female client in a clinic. The client presents with reports of heavy menstrual cycles and fatigue. Exhibits A nurse is planning to provide teaching to the client about the new prescription. For each teaching statement made by the nurse, click to specify if the teaching statement is indicated or contraindicated for the client.

Rationales for indicated actions: It is expected for your stools to be black while taking this medication. This is because ferrous sulfate, when metabolized, can cause stools to turn black due to the iron content. This is a normal and harmless side effect. You can take this medication with meals if you experience discomfort when taking it on an empty stomach. Taking ferrous sulfate with meals can help reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, which is a common side effect of iron supplements. Rationales for contraindicated actions: Take this medication with an antacid if you experience heartburn from the medication. Taking iron supplements with antacids can reduce iron absorption because antacids increase the pH level of the stomach, which interferes with the solubility and absorption of iron. Drinking orange juice with this medication decreases the absorption of the medication. This statement is incorrect. Drinking orange juice actually increases the absorption of iron because it contains vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which enhances iron absorption by reducing it to the ferrous state.