When a home care nurse visits an elderly client with iron deficiency anemia who reports persistent fatigue, what should the nurse do first?

When a home care nurse visits an elderly client with iron deficiency anemia and reports persistent fatigue, the priority is to identify the underlying cause of the anemia. Obtaining a stool specimen to test for occult blood is the appropriate first step because it can help determine if there is gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in older adults. Early identification of any potential bleeding issues can lead to timely interventions and appropriate treatment.

Testing for occult blood provides crucial information that may impact the client’s care plan and management of anemia. Once the causes are established, appropriate measures such as dietary changes, supplementation, or follow-up evaluations can be addressed based on the findings.