Question

A nurse cares for a client with megaloblastic anemia who had a total gastrectomy three years ago. What statement will the nurse include in the client's teaching regarding the condition?A. "The condition is likely caused by a folate deficiency." B. "The condition is likely caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency." C. "The condition causes abnormally rigid red blood cells." D. "The condition causes abnormally small red blood cells."

Answer 1

Answer:

B. "The condition is likely caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency."

Explanation:

Vitamin B complex plays important roles in maintaining the body, for example we have cobalamin (or vitamin B12) responsible, among others, for the synthesis of hemoglobin, and folic acid (or vitamin B9), which has the function to help in production and maintenance of new cells and DNA synthesis. The lack of such vitamins triggers a type of disorder called megaloblastic anemia.

Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by abnormal size and immaturity of red blood cells, as well as decreased leukocytes and platelets. On blood test (CBC) cells are normochromic (normal staining) and macrocytic (increased size).

Cobalamin deficiency may be related to poor intake of this vitamin; difficulty in absorption, such as in cases of inability of parental stomach cells to secrete intrinsic factor (a glycoprotein that binds to vitamin B12 to facilitate its absorption) or misuse, situations in which cobalamin is not synthesized. The lack of folic acid may also be related to poor intake, misuse, inefficient absorption or even in cases of increased need of the body, such as pregnancies, growth stages, among others.