1. The client/caregiver can define folic acid deficiency.
   1. It is a decrease in red blood cells caused by folate deficiency.
   2. It can result from
      • Poor dietary intake of folic acid
      • Malabsorption diseases such as celiacdisease
      • Some medications
      • Increased need for folic acid during pregnancy
   3. Additional risk factors include
      • Poor diet (frequently seen in older or poor populations)
      • Alcoholism
2. The client/caregiver can list signs and symptoms of this disease.
   1. Fatigue
   2. Headache
   3. Sore mouth and tongue
   4. Pallor (paleness)
3. The client/caregiver can list measures used to treat folic acid deficiency.
   1. Replacement therapy may used on a short- term basis or may be lifelong.
   2. Dietary treatment uses increased intake of green, leafy vegetables and citrus fruits.
4. The client/caregiver can discuss complica- tions of untreated folate deficiency.
   1. In a pregnant woman, this deficiency has been associated with neural tube or spinal defects such as spina bifida in the infant.

Resource

March of Dimes
www.marchofdimes.com

National Institutes of Health (folic acid facts)
www.nlm.nih.gov.medlineplus/folicacid

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2006). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care. Philadelphia: Mosby Inc.
Cohen, B. J., & Wood, D. L. (2000). Memmler’s the Human Body in Health and Disease (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Lutz, C., & Przytulski, K. (2001). Nutrition and diet therapy. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.
Perry, A., & Potter, P. (2006). Clinical nursing skills & technique. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.
Portable RN: The all-in-one nursing reference. (2002). Springhouse: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Credits

Client Teaching Guides for Home Health Care, 2nd ed.
© 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
www.jbpub.com