When providing education on iron supplementation, which action should clients be advised to take?

When providing education on iron supplementation, it is important to advise clients to drink a glass of orange juice with the supplement. This recommendation is based on the role of vitamin C in enhancing the absorption of iron in the body. Iron is better absorbed in the presence of vitamin C, making orange juice an effective accompaniment. By consuming the supplement with a vitamin C-rich beverage, clients can improve the efficacy of their iron supplementation regimen.

Other options can lead to less effective iron absorption or may not be relevant to the client’s experience with iron supplementation. For instance, taking iron with a meal high in calcium can interfere with iron absorption, as calcium competes with iron for absorption in the digestive tract. Reporting black stools is a valid concern, as it can indicate potential gastrointestinal bleeding or be a common side effect of iron supplements; however, this does not enhance absorption. Increasing dietary fiber intake may also be advisable for overall gut health but does not directly relate to the effectiveness of iron supplementation.