A client with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia has underlying gastric disorders contributing to the deficiency.
What is an essential aspect of the client's treatment plan?

Choice B rationale:

Treatment of underlying gastric disorders is an essential aspect of the client's treatment plan for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia when there are underlying gastric disorders contributing to the deficiency.

In such cases, the root cause of the deficiency is the impaired absorption of vitamin B12 due to gastric issues.

Simply providing vitamin B12 supplementation alone may not be effective because the absorption problem needs to be addressed.

Treating the underlying gastric disorders can improve the client's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from their diet or supplements, ultimately correcting the deficiency.

Choice A rationale:

Vitamin B12 supplementation alone may not be sufficient if there are underlying gastric disorders contributing to the deficiency.

While vitamin B12 supplementation is necessary to address the immediate deficiency, it does not address the root cause of the problem, which is the impaired absorption of vitamin B12 in the gastrointestinal tract.

Choice C rationale:

Intramuscular injections of iron are not indicated for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Iron is used to treat iron deficiency anemia, which is a separate condition from vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Using iron injections in a client with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia without iron deficiency could lead to iron overload and other complications.

Choice D rationale:

Folate supplementation is not the primary treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

While folate (or folic acid) is essential for red blood cell production, it does not address the specific deficiency of vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 and folate are related but distinct nutrients, and vitamin B12 supplementation is the primary treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should encourage the client with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia to consume foods rich in vitamin B12.

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals are excellent sources of vitamin B12.

Including these foods in the diet can help increase vitamin B12 intake and support the treatment of the deficiency.

Choice B rationale:

Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are not directly related to increasing vitamin B12 intake.

Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption, but it does not provide vitamin B12.

Encouraging the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods is important for iron-deficiency anemia, not vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Choice C rationale:

Dairy products and nuts are not primary sources of vitamin B12.

While they offer other essential nutrients, they do not provide significant amounts of vitamin B12.

Therefore, they should not be the primary focus when trying to increase vitamin B12 intake.

Choice D rationale:

Foods high in iron and calcium, while important for overall health, are not the primary focus when addressing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Iron and calcium-rich foods are more relevant to iron-deficiency anemia and bone health, respectively.

The primary focus for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia should be on foods rich in vitamin B12, as mentioned in choice A.