Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Which medication is commonly prescribed for iron deficiency anemia?

1. Calcium gluconate

2. Ferrous sulfate

3. Vitamin D

4. Folic acid

The correct answer is: Ferrous sulfate

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that arises when the body lacks sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen. Ferrous sulfate is widely prescribed for this condition because it is a form of iron that the body can readily absorb and utilize to help increase hemoglobin levels. It directly addresses the underlying deficiency by providing the necessary iron to support the production of red blood cells. While calcium gluconate is used to address calcium deficiencies, and folic acid is important for various bodily functions including the production of red blood cells, neither addresses iron deficiency specifically. Vitamin D is important for calcium metabolism and bone health, but does not play a direct role in alleviating anemia due to iron deficiency. This specificity of ferrous sulfate as an iron supplement makes it the primary choice for treating iron deficiency anemia.