A nurse is preparing to administer an oral iron supplement to a hospitalized infant. Which should not be given simultaneously with the iron supplement?

A) Milk
B) Multivitamin
C) Fruit juice
D) Meat, fish, poultry

Many foods interfere with iron absorption and should be avoided when the iron is consumed. These foods include phosphates found in milk, phytates found in cereals, and oxalates found in many vegetables. Multivitamins may contain iron; no contraindication exists to taking the two together. Vitamin C-containing juices enhance the absorption of iron. Meat, fish, and poultry do not have an effect on absorption.