What is the primary cause of iatrogenic anemia?

The primary cause of iatrogenic anemia is excessive removal of blood at the request of a physician. This form of anemia arises when patients experience a drop in red blood cell counts due to the repeated or excessive withdrawal of blood for testing or other medical purposes. Each instance of blood removal reduces the overall blood volume and can lead to a deficiency in red blood cells, which are crucial for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Iatrogenic anemia is particularly concerning in hospitalized patients or those undergoing treatment that requires frequent blood draws, as their blood volume can become compromised over time.

While other options may relate to anemia in general, they do not specifically address the iatrogenic aspect. Inadequate blood replacement therapy refers more to situations where blood loss is compensated ineffectively, but it does not capture the idea of the intentional removal of blood. Infections from blood draws, while a risk, typically do not cause anemia directly. Lastly, medication side effects that cause blood loss are generally not classified as iatrogenic anemia, as they arise from drug interactions rather than medical procedures like blood withdrawal. Thus, the correct answer focuses specifically on the deliberate act of blood removal leading to anemia.