Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common diagnosis which occurs when body iron stores fall below the necessary levels to maintain steady state hemoglobin. IDA can be categorized into two main causes, low iron input (inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption) or increased iron output (usually from blood loss and rarely with urinary iron loss such as in nephrotic syndrome). 

The topic of discussion will include basics of interpreting common labs used for diagnosing anemia including complete blood count (CBC), iron panel (including ferritin), B12/Folate, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to help differentiate iron deficiency anemia from other causes such as anemia of chronic disease, bone marrow suppression from drugs, chronic kidney disease, or chronic hemolysis. First line treatment for iron deficiency anemia is often oral iron supplements, but when patient has a lack of response, or an intolerance to oral iron, IV iron infusions can restore the iron deficit. During this webinar, we will discuss the causes of IDA, the symptoms of IDA, safe IV iron infusion administration, and potential complications of IV iron infusions.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:

1. Interpret commons labs used to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from other causes of anemia
2. Describe the causes of and symptoms of IDA
3. Review common treatment algorithms for treatment of iron deficiency
4. Recognize the indications for intravenous iron replacement
5. Discuss process for safe IV iron infusion administration
6. Review common potential complications of iron administration and appropriate interventions

CRNI® RUs: This session has been approved for 2 CRNI® recertification units and meets the non INS Meeting criteria.

Contact Hours: This session has been approved for 1 contact hour

Expiration date for receipt of contact hours: September14, 2025

To receive contact hours for this educational activity, you are required to attend the entire educational activity and complete the evaluation.

The Infusion Nurses Society is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider #CEP14209. The certificate must be retained by the attendee for a period of 4 years.