A nurse is reinforcing discharge instructions with a client who had a cesarean birth 4 days ago. The client's hemoglobin level is 9.2 g/dL, and the provider has prescribed an iron supplement. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend to help increase the client's iron intake?

• A. Dairy products
• B. Refined grains
• C. Citrus fruit
• D. Foods high in fat

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that vitamin C boosts iron absorption. The iron in supplements and many foods is non-heme iron, which the body absorbs more efficiently when vitamin C is present. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, so recommending them helps maximize how much iron the client absorbs from the supplement and dietary iron. Calcium in dairy can interfere with iron absorption if eaten together with the iron dose, and refined grains or high-fat foods don’t specifically enhance iron uptake. So pairing iron with citrus fruit optimizes absorption and supports better correction of iron-deficiency anemia.